Elizabeth A. Rendino (Smith)

October 2, 1940 — August 8, 2021

Elizabeth Ann (Smith) Rendino, 80, of North Bennington, died on August 8th, 2021 after an extended illness. She was married for 58 years to Tommaso Rendino, who was her primary caregiver for the past few years and who survives.

Betty is also survived by their four children: Marcantonio Vito Giuseppe Rendino and his spouse Annie and three children, Aidan, Grady, and Maeve of Burlington, VT; Gennaro Ilario Domenico Savio Rendino and his spouse, Joanne and their daughter Rebekah of Horseheads, NY; Salvatore Carmello Francesco d'Assisi Rendino and his spouse Sylvia De La Torre and their daughter, Isabella of Yonkers, NY; Maria Margherita Vita Crescenza Rendino Scully and her daughter, Kiera of North Bennington. Betty's son-in-law, Bill Scully, passed away a year ago and had a warm relationship with Betty. She missed him a lot.

Betty was born in Waterbury, CT to Daniel J. Smith, Sr, and Margaret Burke. She was the oldest of nine children: Betty; Daniel J., Jr (deceased); Maureen of RI & AZ; Kathleen of Waterbury, CT; Steven (deceased); Timothy (deceased), William of Waterbury, CT; Carol of Waterbury, CT; Michael, 19 years younger than Betty. He dropped out of sight while working out west about 35 or 40 years ago and Betty, who was like a mother to him in his early years to help out her own mother, made nearly daily inquiries online over the years to try and find him. If he has indeed passed as she feared, we hope that they have now met again after all these years.

Betty was a children's librarian for 44 years and with one exception, a Catholic private elementary school in Burlington, VT, she worked in public elementary schools in CT, Georgia, and VT, retiring from Jericho Elementary School in 2006. She received many accolades and recognition over the years and was an acknowledged expert and leader in her field. As one example, on her way to her master's degree, after just a few classes, the instructor had Betty teach the class for the remainder of the semester. Betty had had 25 or 30 years actual experience by that time, including innumerable classes, seminars, and etc, so her fund of knowledge far exceeded the instructor's. The instructor unsuccessfully tried to get Betty to go on to a PhD. Betty served on the Vermont Library Review Committee before she retired and was consulted by other librarians on a regular basis, turning down any opportunity for remuneration.

Being the oldest of nine, mother of four, grandmother of 6, and working in early education, Betty was always surrounded by children. She viewed the world through the eyes of a curious child no matter her age, and her true joy came from helping foster the curiosity and creativity of whoever was the youngest around her.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the following: Village School of North Bennington (library program), Food Shelf at St John the Baptist Catholic Church (North Bennington) through the office of Mahar & Son Funeral Home, 628 Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201.

Per Betty's wishes, there will be no calling hours. There will be a private Mass for immediate family only due to resurging Covid concerns.

Guestbook condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net

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Elizabeth A. Rendino (Smith)

October 2, 1940 — August 8, 2021

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