Olynda A. (Chaffee) Smith

Olynda A. (Chaffee) Smith, 91, passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Robert Packer Hospital. She was the loving wife of Howard J. Smith Jr. The couple married on October 25, 1959. They lived in West Burlington, Pennsylvania, and shared 61 happy years of marriage.

Olynda was born on April 24, 1935, in LeRaysville, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Olyn Chaffee Sr. and Mary (Klym) Chaffee. She graduated from LeRaysville High School in 1953 and earned a degree in music education from Mansfield State Teachers College in 1957.

Olynda began teaching music at Towanda Area High School, where she taught from 1957 to 1961. After starting a family, she taught music in several elementary schools in the Troy Area School District. During her 35-year teaching career, Olynda influenced two generations of students through her love of music and education.

A devoted member of West Burlington United Methodist Church, Olynda served as organist, pianist, choir director, and director of music for 62 years. Music was at the heart of her family's life, and her husband, Howard, along with their children, Cynthia and Curtis, sang in the choirs she direct In ed. For many years, Olynda directed the combined choir of the Columbia Cross Roads, East Troy, and West Burlington United Methodist Churches (the Sugar Creek Parish) for the Christmas and Easter services.

Olynda was active in many community and professional organizations. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, directed the Pomona Grange Chorus, belonged to the Thursday Study Club, the Bradford County Republican Women, and was a member of the Alpha Zeta chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma for over 50 years. She generously shared her musical talents with many of these organizations as a choir director, pianist, and accompanist. Olynda directed the resident chorus at the Bradford County Manor for 10 years. In her free time, Olynda enjoyed playing bridge.

Olynda and Howard loved to travel. They enjoyed accompanying the Mansfield University Concert Choir on all six of its triennial European tours. In addition, they visited many cities and national parks. Through much of their life together, they would vacation at Lake Wesauking.

Olynda is survived by her children, Cynthia and Dr. Burdett Porter of South Waverly, Pennsylvania, and Curtis H. and Kim Smith of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania; her grandchildren, Elizabeth Porter, Dr. Alexander Porter, Katherine Porter, Meghan Smith, and Matthew Smith; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Olyn and Maralee Chaffee and Lynmar and Linda Chaffee; her nephews, Craig (Amy) Chaffee, Bryce (Kathy) Chaffee, David Chaffee, and Greg (Marie) Wood; and her nieces, Lynn (Brian) Jennings and Jennifer Chaffee.

In addition to her parents, Olynda was preceded in death by her husband, Howard J. Smith, Jr., and her sister-in-law, Marletta S. Wood Edsell.

Olynda's family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of the Sayre Health Care Center for the love, care, and support they provided while Olynda was a resident.

Visitation and funeral services honoring Olynda's life will be held at Vickery Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., on Saturday, July 25, 2026. Visitation will be held at 2:00 p.m. The funeral service will be at 3:00 p.m.

If you wish to make a memorial contribution in Olynda’s memory, donations may be made to:

Sayre Health Care Center

151 Keefer Lane

Sayre, PA 18840

For checks, please note “Activities Fund” in the memo line.

The Mansfield Foundation

54 South Main Street

Mansfield, PA 16933

For checks, please note “Howard J. Jr.& Olynda Chaffee Smith Music Scholarship” in the memo line.