Arden Loretta Boulé Fifield Smith

March 28, 1930 – July 23, 2026

Arden Loretta Boulé Fifield-Smith, lovingly known as Mom, Nana, Gram, and Nana-Gram, passed away peacefully at the age of 96. Arden spent her life gathering people together and reminding them that life was a gift to be celebrated.

She loved deeply, laughed freely, and experienced joy with her whole body. Whether it was a birthday breakfast, family reunion, dancing to a favorite song, sharing a meal around the kitchen table, or simply sitting and talking with someone she loved, Arden had a way of making ordinary moments feel so special. She never needed an occasion to celebrate. To her, being together was reason enough.

She was born on March 28, 1930, in The Bronx, New York, to Roland Delphis and Mary Loretta (McDonald) Boulé. Arden became a mother at just 19 years old with the birth of her first son, Bruce, whom she welcomed with her first husband, Warren Fifield. Motherhood quickly became the role she cherished most. Their family grew with the births of David and Beth. After the heartbreaking loss of their infant daughter, Diane Loretta, at only 17 hours old. They then welcomed Helen, Allison, and Daniel. Although Diane's life on earth was brief, she remained forever part of Arden's family and forever in her heart.

Arden loved watching every chapter of life unfold. New babies, birthdays, graduations, weddings, anniversaries, and visits from those she loved were all reasons to celebrate. She found genuine joy in watching new generations grow and always looked forward to the next family gathering, holiday, or simple afternoon spent together. Through life's many joys and hardships, Arden raised her children with remarkable resilience, determination, and love.

Her faith remained an important part of her life. While her spiritual journey evolved over the years, her belief in God, the importance of love, and the hope that families are forever connected never left her.

Arden spent many years working for the United States Census Bureau before finally retiring at 81. She always joked that it never really felt like work because she got to spend her days meeting people. She loved knocking on doors, visiting local businesses, and hearing the stories of people from all walks of life. Arden never met a stranger; whether she knew someone for five minutes or fifty years, she had a remarkable gift for making people feel welcome.

Arden believed life was meant to be lived. She and her husband, Edward Smith, spent countless days camping together, making memories at campgrounds across New England and beyond. Fryeburg Fair was one of her favorite traditions, and wherever her camper was parked, she quickly made lifelong friends. She loved dancing, music, animals, baking pies, sharing family recipes, looking through old photographs, and telling the stories that connected onegeneration to the next. Arden was deeply involved in her community, rarely missing Sebago Days and other local celebrations. She was also a proud and active member of the Eagles Club, where she could often be found visiting with friends, and sharing stories. She believed good company deserved a proper stiff drink and was always happy to teach others how to mix one.

Even in her nineties, she was still ready for the next adventure, the next celebration, or the next conversation, always with the same spitfire spirit that defined her.

Arden was legendary for her sense of humor. Her wit was quick, her sarcasm unmatched, and she delighted in good-natured mischief. She had an uncanny ability to deliver the perfect one-liner at exactly the right moment. She believed laughter belonged at every table and wasn't above lovingly teasing the people she cared about most. In fact, she often said, "If I'm teasing you, you know I love you."

Arden knew more than her share of heartbreak. She carried grief that never truly left her, but she refused to let it be the whole story. She kept gathering people together, celebrating birthdays, laughing until her sides hurt, and finding one more reason to enjoy life. She showed those around her that joy and sorrow can live side by side.

Those who knew Arden best will remember the days spent with her at Sebago Lake, sleepovers with late night campfires, her homemade pancakes and macaroni and cheese, baking together, coloring at her table, stories from years gone by, and a home where everyone was welcome, provided they remembered to "pay 25¢ to flush"!

Arden taught those around her to celebrate life's ordinary moments, preserve its stories, laugh often, welcome others generously, and never miss an opportunity to tell the people you love that they matter. She showed us that joy is meant to be shared and that love is something to be expressed freely.

Throughout her life, Arden carried the memory of loved ones lost along the way with her. While the years brought immeasurable joy through the family she loved, time never erased the love she carried for those she had lost. Her faith gave her hope that love is stronger than death and that families are never truly separated. After nearly 70 years of carrying Diane in her heart, we find peace in believing that she is finally holding her daughter in her arms.

Arden was predeceased by her daughter Diane, the father of her children Warren Fifield, husband Edward Smith and his son Richard, son in law Charles Gaston, grandson Daniel Fifield Jr., and her parents Roland D. and M. Loretta Boulé. Arden had spoken of her hope to be reunited with numerous friends who passed before her.

Arden is survived by her children and their spouses and partners: Bruce Fifield (Ann); David Fifield (Linda); Beth Schildroth (Michael); Helen Fifield; Allison Fifield; and Daniel Fifield (Tanya).

She is also survived by the many generations they have continued to add to the family, along with her nieces, nephews, and many dear friends whose lives were made brighter because they knew her.