Sally L. Smith

Sally Louise (Hanson) Smith, 88, of Westborough passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Beaumont Skilled Nursing Westborough following declining health from a broken femur. Born in Natick, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence Hanson and Teresa (Naylor) Hanson Lashua.

Sally graduated from Framingham High School and was employed at Dennison Manufacturing company for over 30 years in a variety of positions. Sally was fiercely independent and a hard worker. Following the closing of Dennison, Sally enjoyed many years of work at the Christmas Tree Shops in Natick where she met her dear friends Gail and Jim Downy.

Sally moved to Westborough in 1990 with her longtime partner Frank Amorelli. She worked at the card store and bakery on West Main Street and as a home health aide to many. She always went over and above for the clients she cared for. When Sally decided to retire, she was introduced to the Westborough Senior Center where she became actively involved – as a volunteer for the monthly birthday card mailing and playing Bingo and Rummikub with a special group of friends. Sally was always eager to dress up for theme parties, holiday events and join friends for a bus adventure! Sally loved country music, a fun time, a hearty laugh and meeting new people. She was caring, compassionate, generous, and always willing to help anyone in need. Sally’s favorite holiday was Christmas. After the passing of her brother Bob many years ago, she made sure his seven children, and their families, received a thoughtful gift from Aunt Sally every year that followed!

In 2024, Sally transitioned to The Highland’s Gracious Retirement Community on East Main Street to stay independent, socially active and engaged. She loved her time there and made wonderful new friends. She enjoyed the constant social activity. It was common for her to leave her apartment at 10am and not return until after 9pm! Friendship, humor, conversation, and daily activities – especially trips to the casino – provided her with purpose, happiness, and social engagement every day. A warm thank you to the current managers, Dale and Denise, at The Highlands for being such caring friends.

Sally leaves behind her daughter, Gail J Hanson and her wife, Shelby L Marshall, of Westborough, her beloved granddaughter Gracie E Hanson-Marshall whom she adored, and her son, David J Smith and his wife, Melissa, of Bristol, NH, their children, and grandchildren. Sally leaves behind her special cousin Barbara Bresse and her family, as well as several cousins and many nieces and nephews.

Sally was the sister to the late Robert Hanson, Arthur Hanson, Lawrence Lashua and John Lashua. She is predeceased by her devoted partner of over 25 years, Frank Amorelli of Westborough, and her ex-husband Arthur Smith of Bourne.

Our family would like to thank Sally’s special friends at The Highland’s and the Westborough Senior Center for their check-ins, calls, visits, and love during these past two months. Your kindness and comfort meant the world to Sally.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough on Thursday, July 10th, from 3:30 to 6:30 P.M.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 11th at 10:00 A.M. at the funeral home followed by a burial at the Southborough Rural Cemetery, Southborough.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Westborough Senior Center Gift Account, 4 Rogers Road, Westborough, MA 01581