Smith, Carol M. RENSSELAER Carol M. (Perry) Smith, 78, of Rensselaer, died at her residence Thursday, July 12, 2007 after a lengthy illness. Born October 10, 1928 in Boston, Mass., she was the daughter of Frank and Addie Perry. Carol attended Cohoes schools, graduating from Cohoes High in 1946. She later received her NYS Insurance Broker License from Siena College. Carol raised her children and worked for her husband as a secretary/bookkeeper in the plumbing and heating business. They owned their own insurance agency in Cohoes for many years and Carol also worked for the Cohoes Hospital. She spent the final 10 years actively employed by Capital Communications Federal Credit Union, which she retired from in 1990. After retirement, Carol dedicated her life to her family and as an advocate for seniors, especially residents of nursing homes. In 1991, Carol became a certified long term care ombudsmen and, in 1995, became the coordinator of the Rensselaer County Ombudsmen program. In 1992, Carol was appointed to the executive board for R.O.U.S.E. (Rensselaer Organizations United for Senior Endeavors). Carol served as president of R.O.U.S.E. from 1995-1997. In 1995, Carol was voted Senior of the Year for the Rensselaer Senior Center and, in 1998, she was appointed to the governor's advisory committee of the NYS Office for the Aging. In 1999, both Carol and her husband were named the Seniors of the Year for Rensselaer County. Mrs. Smith loved her church and was active in her parish of St. John the Evangelist as a Eucharistic minister and a member of the Christian Service Committee, Our Lady of Peace Prayer Group, and the Altar Rosary Society. In her spare time, Carol loved summers at Lake George, traveling, knitting, crochet, and all kinds of crafts. Carol is survived by her husband of 59 years, Michael J. Smith. She was a devoted and loving mother to Michael T. Smith (Cheryl) of Latham, Colleen Place (Robert) of Albuquerque, N.M., Cindy Dennin (Kevin) of Clifton Park, Paula Stopera (Frank) of Latham, and predeceased by their daughter, Diane Marie Smith in 1997. Carol adored her five grandchildren, Cory Smith of New York City, Erika Smith of Buffalo, N.Y., and Ryan Dennin, Amanda and Alexander Stopera. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral 10:00 Tuesday from the Rockefeller Funeral Home, 165 Columbia Tpk., Rensselaer and 10:30 at St. John the Evangelist Church on Herrick St., Rensselaer where the Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be celebrated. Friends may call in the funeral home on Monday evening from 4-8. Interment will be in Memory's Garden Cemetery, Colonie, N.Y. The family has requested that those who wish to remember Carol make contributions to Community Hospice, 295 Valley View Blvd.., Rensselaer, NY 12144 or St. John the Evangelist Church, Herrick St., Rensselaer, NY 12144 in her memory.