Mary M Smith

Mary M Smith was born November 6, 1961 in Bellevue, Ohio to parents Isidore and Mary (Feld) Shank. She passed away November 1, 2018 in Carrollton, Texas.

Mary was born in northern Ohio as the eldest of 6 siblings. She graduated in May 1980 from Tiffin Calvert Catholic High School. In May 1985, she married her husband, Norm, and so began 33 wonderful years they shared together. The first four years were in the role of Navy wife which is challenging on the good days. In June 1989, Mary and her family moved to Plano where she continued her life’s work as a loving supportive mother and volunteer extraordinaire.

Some of her volunteer positions included over 20 years as faith formation instructor at St Elizabeth Ann Seton, teaching at Seton’s Ark preschool for several years, working with Seton VBS program including two years as co-director, Christie Elementary School PTO member/officer including two years as president, Plano Sports Authority youth cheerleading coach for 5+ years, and most recently, helping with the RCIA program at Seton. She, however, would be most proud of the 10+ years she spent volunteering with the CPLC Youth for Life programs, especially helping with the pro-life boot camps each summer.

Despite her busy schedule as Mom and volunteer, she went back to college and in Dec 2007 graduated Magna Cum Laude from UNT with a BS degree in Elementary education. She worked several years as a short- and long-term substitute teacher before stepping away from that to focus on running her own small business.

Mary was an exuberant football fan cheering on her beloved Pittsburg Steelers (6 rings), the Blue and Gold of Navy (Beat Army!), and more recently, the Aggies (Whoop!). One of the threads that ran through her entire life was a love of all things crafty which started as a young girl crocheting and sewing Barbie doll clothes and through the years included crocheting various items, various painting styles, many projects for (and with) the girls and the grandkids and most recently involved doing vinyl designs as gifts.

Her family especially remembers the joy and love that Mary put into the traditions of life. Birthdays must be celebrated properly! Thanksgiving was her personal favorite holiday (food, family, football, & shopping). Christmas was her yearly triumph as she always made this a magical time of year steeped in traditions for her family.

Mary was always a beautiful faith-filled wife, mother, and friend who encouraged those around her through her words, actions and the example she set. May she now rest in God’s eternal peace.

Mary is survived by her loving husband Norman Smith; daughters Megan Kuo and her husband Stephen, Mary Magdalene Brown and her husband Ryan and Kathleen Smith; grandchildren David, Clare, and John Kuo, Anna, Andrew and Philip Brown; brother Isidore Shank and his wife Jennifer and four additional siblings and many loving nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her father and two daughters, Rebecca Leigh and Bernadette Gertrude.

A vigil service will be held Thursday, November 8, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. with visitation following at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, Texas 75023. A mass will be celebrated Friday, November 9, 2018 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with The Reverend Bruce Bradley officiating.

There will be a reception to follow the mass in the parish hall. Mary will be laid to rest later in the columbarium at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.

If desired, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mary’s name to either of these charities. The Catholic Pro-Life Committee, Youth for Life Ministry, https://www.prolifedallas.org or 14675 Midway Rd, Ste 121, Dallas, Texas 75001. Or to Write Love on Her Arms, a charity focused on helping people with mental health issues, at https://twloha.com