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Alida Smith
Alida van Vugt (Liesje) Smith of Southampton died at home on May 13, 2019. She was 95.
Born in Rotterdam, Holland, February 16, 1924, to Hans and Greta van Vugt, she endured the Nazi occupation as a teenager, something she never forgot.
In 1959, she married Courtland Smith in Paris on December 24, 1959. They lived in Paris and Rome until they moved to New York City with their son, David, eventually moving to Southampton in 1972. She was an accomplished artist, specializing in pastel portraits of children. She loved going with her husband and son to art shows and galleries. She worked for a number of years at Mark Humphrey Galleries, doing framing.
In her later years, she was a well-known figure as she walked to the village in her bright red coat, pushing her red walker. She would shop and visit with everyone she saw along the way.
She is survived by her son, David of Aquebogue, and his girlfriend, Kimberly Cosgrain; two stepchildren, Janet Merrill (Stephen) of Minneapolis, and Christopher Smith of California; three step-grandchildren, Jennifer Merrill, of Washington, Benjamin Merrill of Colorado, Courtland Merrill (Kara) of Minnesota; a step-great-grandson, Jack Merrill; and special friend Pam Pospisil, who made it possible for her to stay in her home so many years. She was predeceased by her husband, Courtland Smith; and her sister, Lenie Bazin.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.
on May 20, 2019