12/02/2008
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Staff photo by David Leamingfrom the Kennebec Journal
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The 85-year-old woman received her college diploma in front of family and friends at Sunset Home on College Avenue, where she lives.
Thomas College President George Spann conferred on her an associate's degree in arts and sciences, complete with a gold cord from the vice president for academic affairs, Thomas Edwards, signifying that she was graduating cum laude -- with honors.
"Oh, thank you so much," Smith said. "I'm going to cry. I never dreamed I would be handed anything like this."
With that, she got a hug and congratulations from her son, C. Scott Smith, and daughter, Sherry Darby, who said the diploma was a long time coming.
"I've seen my mother cry twice in my life," Darby said. "This is huge."
A 1940 graduate of Waterville High School, Freda Smith attended Colby College and then Nasson College. The man she was later to marry, W. Leigh Smith, attended Gorham Normal School (now University of Southern Maine).
But he was drafted during World War II and had to quit college. After he became ill at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland where he was stationed, she quit college, got on a train and brought him back to Maine.
Both worked at Keyes Fibre Co., now Huhtamaki, on College Avenue. She left her job when she had children and returned later for a total career of 25 years. She was secretary to the engineering department and in charge of patents and trademarks.
After her husband's death in 1977, she decided to go back to college, enrolling at Thomas in 1979. She majored in business and attended part-time until 1983, but again, did not complete her degree.
Sherry Darby recently gathered her mother's college transcripts and called Thomas to see if her credits could be reviewed. After evaluating her standing, Thomas officials determined she was eligible for an associate's degree.
Edwards, accompanied by Katie Greenlaw, director of Thomas' public relations, said conferring a diploma under such circumstances is rare.
"This is a first for me," he said. "We have, on occasion, gone off campus to award a degree, but this is a special occasion, so we're pleased to have been able to do it."
For Darby and her brother, it was the fulfillment of a dream they have had for some time -- and they told their mother so.
"You insisted on seeing me and Scott graduate, so we insisted on seeing you graduate, too," Darby said.
Their mother, a delicate woman with an infectious smile, was touched by the sentiments.
"I can't stop crying," she said. "I'm so proud."
Freda Smith moved to Sunset Home in August after being hospitalized for a broken hip. Darby, of Rockland, eight years ago started spending the work week in Waterville so as to care for her mother, who has a home within walking distance of Sunset Home. A teacher in Norridgewock, Darby goes back to her coastal home on weekends.
"She's my best friend," she said of her mother. "She was my maid of honor at our wedding. I wore her wedding gown."
Darby's brother, C. Scott Smith, lives in Athens, Ohio, where he teaches French horn and music theory at Ohio University's School of Music. He spends about 21/2 months of the year in Maine, teaching at New England Music Camp in Sidney in the summer and playing French horn for the Maine State Ballet's "Nutcracker" during the holiday season.
They described their mother as strict while they were growing up, but a lot of fun, too. "She made clothes and she did gardening," Darby said. "She was very consistent. We always knew she was there for us."
C. Scott Smith said their parents treated them fairly and encouraged them to do their best.
"When I went into music, I always had a parent at a concert and at lessons," he said. "I just took it for granted that that's what parents did."
The women who live at Sunset Home watched from dining tables as Smith got her degree Monday. Then they toasted her with sparkling grape juice in champagne glasses.
Darby's son, Eric, of New York, was on hand to congratulate her, as was Sunset Home Administrator Susan Whalen.
After the ceremony, Spann sat with Freda Smith and they chatted informally.
"My mother would be awful proud of me," she told him.
Amy Calder -- 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com
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