Eleanor (Ellie) Smith Southworth died at her home in Darien, Conn. on August 28. She was 49.
Ellie was born in Stamford, Conn. on May 21, 1966 to Philip B. Smith and Linda May Smith of Darien, Conn.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband of 26 years Kenneth A. Southworth 4th, and her children, Katherine (Katie) Batterman Southworth and Kenneth A. (Alden) Southworth 5th. She has a very large loving family who will miss her: her identical twin sister, Alice Smith Clark of New Canaan and her husband Jonathan; her sister Elizabeth (Leelee) Smith Klein of Darien and her husband Michael; and her sister Susan Smith Pettenati of Ridgewood N.J. and her husband John. She loved all of her nieces and nephews, Caroline and Jonathan Clark, Molly, Grace and Larsen Klein, and Jack, and Michael and Luke Pettenati, in addition to many aunts, uncles and cousins, including twin cousins Marjorie Roney of Darien and Dorothy Holt of Cumberland Foreside, Maine. She was deeply loved by her in-laws Beth and Morgan Kiker and Laurie Southworth Sorota and her husband Bruce of Andover, Mass., Rebecca and John Boehmer of Hershey, Pa., Rick and Marja Kiker of Woonsocket, R.I., and her uncle Edward B. Southworth 3rd of Edgartown, and their families.
Ellie was a 1984 graduate of the Kent School and a 1989 graduate of Boston University. She was most recently head coach of the Darien High School gymnastics team and a youth coach at the Darien YMCA Gymnastics Center. She is remembered for her passion, dedication, and commitment to the children she coached. Early in her professional career, she worked in event promotions for firms including Save the Children in Westport. Additionally, she was a member of the Kent School Alumni Committee and an active lay assistant at St. Luke’s Church.
Ellie will be best remembered for her love and dedication to her children and husband. Nothing stopped her from being there for their needs. She will also be remembered for her passion for her dogs, endless generosity, and a huge heart, a sensitivity to others and her dedication to her large family. She received great joy and wonderful memories from spending every summer in Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard. There was never a sweeter soul who blessed so many lives, and she will be deeply missed.
A service of remembrance will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 3 at St. Luke’s Church in Darien.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her honor to the Darien YMCA, Gymnastics Program, 2420 Post Rd. Darien, CT 06820.
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