Irene A. Smith, 94, a lifelong Saxon resident, died Saturday evening, Dec. 8, 2007, at Ashland Health and Rehabilitation Center in Ashland. The former Irene Fafford was born Dec. 28, 1912, in Saxon, daughter of the late Edward and Rose (Chaput) Fafford Sr., and graduated from Saxon High School in 1931. She married Ernest W. Smith on Nov. 10, 1935, in Bessemer, Mich. Together with her husband, she owned and operated Smitty's Tap in Saxon, as well as other taverns, for many years, retiring in 1972. She then worked for the Green Thumb Program in Saxon for 15 years, retiring in June of 1992. Ernest preceded her in death in Oct. 1966. Irene was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Saxon and the St. Ann's Service Club, and was a 52 year member of the Auxiliary to Mercier-Kero American Legion Post 371. She was an avid sports fan and enjoyed playing cards. Surviving are two sons, Denny (Carolyn), Saxon, and David (Shirley), Helena, Mont.; a daughter, Darlene (James) Patritto, New London; a daughter-in-law, Gail Smith, Hartford; eight grandchildren, Marty (Robyn) Smith, Hartford; Daryl (Shanon) Smith, Appleton; Joel (Becky) Smith, Lakeview, Minn.; Dawn (Todd) Klemish, Manitowoc; Dwayne (Ruth) Patritto, Ottumwa, Iowa; Heather and Chris Smith, both of Denver, Colo.; and Tracy Smith, Helena; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband, Irene was preceded in death by eight brothers, Edward Jr., Walter "Curly", Floyd, Irvin, Ben and Leo Fafford, and two brothers in infancy; and three sisters, Lillian Kadletz, Ida Peterson and Anne Lamerand. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Dec. 14, at 11 a.m., at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Saxon, with the Rev. Kevin Gordon, celebrant. Rite of Committal will be at the church, with luncheon to follow at the Saxon Community Center. Spring burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Saxon. Relatives and friends may call at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, where liturgical prayers will be recited at 7 p.m. Pallbearers will be Marty, Daryl, Chris and Joel Smith, Todd Klemish and Dwayne Patritto. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Mercier-Kero American Legion Post 371 Auxiliary, or to the St. Ann's Service Club. To view Irene's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are with McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home Inc. of Ironwood. A special thank you to the staff at Ashland Health and Rehabilitation Center, especially to Dana and Fayzie, for the wonderful care given to Irene over the past 4 1/2 years.