Mary Smith

Mary W. Smith was born in Glasgow, Scotland on December 8, 1921 and died February 6, 2011 at the age of 89.  Her Mother said she was born with her name. In 1926, Mary, her mother, Alice, and sister, Catherine, arrived in New York to reunite with her father, William “Scotty” who had been in America for 4 years. They spent several years in Amsterdam, NY before settling in Evanston, IL.  Mary graduated in 1940 from Evanston Township High School.  She married Wallace George Smith in 1942, and they raised four children in Evanston.  After her husband died in 1990, Mary moved to Walnut Creek, CA where she resided for the next 15 years.  In 2006, she moved to Avalon Square in Waukesha to live near her daughter.  Mary’s personal warmth and caring extended through her family, work, and volunteer activities.  She enjoyed camping with her family, sports, especially the Chicago White Sox, lawn bowling, and spending quality time with her grandchildren.  Mary wants to be remembered as the Grandma who said, “Save room for dessert.”  Mary will be deeply missed by her children:  Richard (Buff) Smith of Calgary, Alberta, Drs. David (Anna Hom) Smith of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Catherine Smith of Waukesha; grandchildren:  David (Tanya) Smith, James (Sharilyn) Smith, Nicole (Guy Marchildon) Smith, Elaine (Jason) Esteban, Brian Carter-Smith, Scott (Abbie) Carter-Smith, Sarah (John Davis) McDonald, Philip (Sarah) McDonald, Ian (special friend Megan Marek) McDonald; and great-grandchildren:  Noah, Anik, Claire, Miró, Mobi, Mia.  She is further survived by Sue Lydic, mother of James and David; and Martin McDonald DVM, father of Sarah, Philip, and Ian.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Wallace; eldest son, William; her sister, Catherine; and parents, Alice Gaffney Walker and William Brown Walker.  She will be greatly missed by her family and dear friend, Little Mary at the Avalon.  A celebration of Mary’s life will be held on Sunday, February 13, 2011 at Avalon Square, 222 Park Place, Waukesha, with visitation from 12:30 PM until the memorial service at 1:00 PM, with fellowship to follow.  In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Mary’s spirit of thinking of others, memorial donations may be made to her daughter, Catherine Smith, to be used for underprivileged children in Zimbabwe. Thank you to the staff at Avalon Square and Home and Hospice Advantage.