Alison Smith Jordan

Alison Smith Jordan, of Cohasset, MA, lived a life defined by energy, generosity and deep connection. She passed away peacefully at home on April 6, 2026, at the remarkable age of 103, surrounded by loved ones.

Born on October 27, 1922, in Boston, MA, to Helen Farrar Warren and George Willard Smith, Alison grew up in Newton Centre and Brookline with her sisters, Beverly and Jocelyn. Alison’s spirit of curiosity and determination would carry her through more than a century of rich experiences. She attended several private schools, including The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, NY, where her lifelong love of athletics first took hold. Tennis, in particular, became one of her great joys — a passion she pursued with enthusiasm and skill into her eighties.

Before World War II, Alison studied at nursery training school and brought warmth and care to her work teaching preschool. During wartime, she served as an active Red Cross volunteer, stepping forward in moments of urgent need. Most notably, during the tragic Cocoanut Grove fire of 1942, Alison answered the call without hesitation, driving tirelessly for days back and forth to Boston City Hospital to help those in crisis, a reflection of her enduring courage and compassion.

It was during this era that Alison met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Jordan. Their connection was immediate and profound, and they became engaged after just two dates before Bob departed for service in World War II. After the war, they married and traveled extensively together, sharing 55 joyful years until his passing in 1999.

Alison and Bob built a vibrant life centered on family, friendship and adventure. They made their home in Cohasset, MA, and later spent winters at the St. Andrews Club in Delray Beach, FL. With their three children, Julia, Bob and Lindsay, they created cherished memories sailing from their homeports of Cohasset and Quissett harbors aboard their beloved boats.

Alison’s warmth and spirit drew people to her wherever she went. Through their travels, she cultivated a wide and lasting circle of friends who knew her for her positivity, kindness and engaging presence. She brought joy to everyday moments, often breaking into song and delighting in hymn sings with her family. She enjoyed being an active member of The Vincent Club of Boston, the Chilton Club of Boston, The Country Club in Brookline, the St. Andrews Club of Delray Beach, FL, The Little Club of Gulf Stream, FL, the Cohasset Garden Club, the Cohasset Golf Club and the Cohasset Yacht Club.

Widely admired and lovingly known as “Gram,” Alison was the heart of her family. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Julia Jordan Catlin; Bob and Letitia Jordan; and Lindsay and George Cooney. She also leaves behind four grandchildren and their spouses: Rebecca and Jed Synnestvedt, Bill and Zana Jordan, Lydia and Mark St. Onge, and Jessie Guild, as well as eight great-grandchildren: Henry, Madeline and William; Whitley, Riley and Charlie; and Alison and Clara. She will be remembered for singing to them to “be always kind and true.” Her legacy lives on in each of them, as well as in her many Lovell, Baumgarten and Jordan nieces and nephews, and in the countless lives she touched with her kindness, resilience and joy.

A celebration of Alison’s extraordinary life will be held on May 29, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Cohasset Yacht Club, 99 Howard Gleason Road, Cohasset, MA 02025.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Massachusetts Eye and Ear at giving.masseyeandear.org or the Paul Pratt Memorial Library at www.cohassetlibrary.org/435/Donate