SMITH Hilda Charles Smith, age 67, of Stratford, widow of Paul C. Smith, and daughter of the late William and Hildegard Weiss Charles, passed away on Sunday, May 7, 2006 with her niece by her side. Before retiring, she worked at International Harvester and Equitable Life. She belonged to the Order of Eastern Star Lucia 25 Chapter in Milford. Hilda is survived by several cousins, Linda Riemer and her husband, Heno, of Stille/Buchwedel, Germany and their children, Carl Hoegermeyer and his wife, Adele, of Buckingham, Pa., and their children, Eleanor Nicolau and her husband, Nick, of Wareham, Mass., and their children, Rudolf H. Weiss and his wife, Cheri, of Monroe, and their children, Marco Weiss of Monroe, Rudy Weiss and his wife, Janet, of East Chester, N.Y., and their son Stephen, and Allison Yao and her husband, Michael, of Trumbull, and their children, Erika and Andrew. She was thankful for her many friends at Lucas Gardens and elsewhere who inspired her with visits, food, cards and phone calls. The family would like to thank her good friend, Barb Peterson of Stratford, for all her guidance, assistance and friendship over her long illness. Hilda was especially thankful for all her caregivers, Rudy, Barb, Allison and Sue (her aide); her VNA nurses Laura and Sandy and all her caring doctors. Friends are invited to attend the funeral on Thursday, May 11, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. in the Pistey Funeral Home, 2155 Main Street, Stratford, with Pastor Joan Sorenson of Grace Lutheran Church officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Grove Cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.