Arlene Ruth Smith formerly of Amherst, NH and Saint Petersburg, FL, died on January 22,

2026, at Bowman Place in Bedford, New Hampshire at the age of 97. She was born in Lowell, Massachusetts on October 11, 1928, the daughter of J. Justin Pestana, Sr., and Gladys E. Pestana. On October 25, 1947, she married Ralph E. Smith, Jr.

For many years, Arlene, along with her mother and sister, owned and operated the Carriage Shed Antique Shop on Walnut Hill in Amherst, NH. Arlene also worked for many years in the family business then known as JP Chemical Company.

Arlene was predeceased by her husband, Ralph E. Smith, Jr. who died in 1996, her son, Ralph E. Smith, Ill of Stockholm, ME who died in 2007, her brother J. Justin Pestana who died in 2005, and her sister, Jean P. Campbell who died in 2017.

Members of Arlene's family include her daughter, Leslie Smith of Manchester, NH, her grandson, Brian E. Smith and his wife, Jackie Smith of Lyndeborough, NH, and her grandson, Craig E. Smith of Summerville, NC. Arlene leaves behind her great grandchildren, Megan, Joshua, Caleb, Ryleigh and Madeline.

A graveside service will be held in the spring at Meadowview Cemetery, in Amherst, NH.

The family wishes to extend their heartful thanks to the staff of Bowman Place and Bayada Hospice for the kind and compassionate care they gave to Arlene.

To view Arlene’s online tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit https://phaneuf.net. Assisting the family with arrangements is the Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Manchester, NH.