Mary was born to the late Edward and Emma DeBolt in Masonville, New Jersey. Mary lived her life with a spirit that refused to sit still. She found joy in the simple things, especially the open road. She loved to drive, and many of her happiest days were spent going wherever the road would take her. Whether it was a trip down to the Jersey Shore, a visit to North Carolina to see her beloved sister-in-law, Dorothy Willitts and family, or simply getting lost on purpose. When her children were young, Mary made sure life was filled with little moments that mattered. She often took them to the small airfield in Medford, where they would watch planes take off and land. And when she wasn’t driving, she was walking, always on the move, often with a child in hand, simply enjoying being out in the world. She had a gift for making connections wherever she went, and she cherished the time she spent with her girlfriends, Betty, Helen, Lorie, Ruth, Deloris, and Betty Rose, among many others. Mary enjoyed a game of bingo, a quiet afternoon playing solitaire, or working through a word search book.
Family meant everything to Mary. She made it her mission to stay connected, especially during the holidays, visiting brothers, sisters, and in-laws throughout the Christmas season. She lived modestly, never trying to outshine anyone or live beyond her means. Mary appreciated every gesture of kindness, knowing that the smallest gifts often came from the biggest hearts.
Mary was caring, loving, and fiercely loyal. She stood by those she loved, but she was also strong-willed, if you made her mad, you knew it. She was real, genuine, and resilient. Throughout her life, she endured hardships that would have broken many, but she never gave up. Even in her final days, that strength remained.
Mary is predeceased by her husband Arthur Smith Sr and her brother and sister in law Edward and Ann DeBolt. She is survived by her children Arthur (the late Kathleen), Joseph, and Tom (the late Francis M. Fox Jr), her grandchildren Arthur Phillip Smith 3rd, Irene (Bob)McCall, Charles (Dawn) Taylor Smith, William Spear, Crystal Smith, Danielle (Ron) Wright, Anthony Smith, and Jon Graefe, her 12 great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, her sister Anna (the late Bob) Owen, and Lucille (Melvin) Baynard, and her sibling in laws Betty Schiller, Lorrie Smith, Albert Smith, and Catherine Wolbert, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Come celebrate 89 great years on Wednesday, April 22nd, from 6pm-8pm and again on Thursday, April 23rd, from 11am-1pm where there will be a 1pm service at Sweeney Funeral Home, Beverly. Interment immediately to follow at Monument Cemetery in Beverly.
