Mary Smith

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Mary E. Smith, nee Fleischer, 91, of Belleville, IL, born September 3, 1926, in St. Louis, MO, died Tuesday, October 10, 2017, at Faith Countryside Manor, Highland, IL.

Mrs. Smith was a registered nurse at City Hospital, St. Louis, MO, and at Triad High School, Troy, IL, for 16 years. She was a piano teacher and an organist at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Troy, IL.  Mary was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Belleville, a member of the St. Ann’s Alter Society, and was a volunteer at Queen of Peace Catholic Grade School.  A volunteer with Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, Mary also volunteered at Memorial Hospital in Belleville.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Richard, C. Smith Sr., whom she married on October 25, 1947 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, St. Louis, MO, and who died on January 1, 2016; a daughter, Margaret Gillespie; her parents, Frank and Eleanor, nee Rapp, Fleischer; and two brothers-in-law, Louis Mitas and Thomas Smith.

Surviving are one son, Richard C. (Sherry) Smith Jr. of Troy, IL;
four daughters, Patrice (Robert) Schneider of Brighton, IL, Catherine (Dennis) Frank of Sorento, IL, Rebecca (Christopher) Cueto of Boulder, CO, and Maria (Jeffery) Wendler of St. Jacob, IL;
13 grandchildren, Joshua, Nicholas, Laura, Luke, Jennie, Jacob, Andrea, Neil, Ben, Ted, Carrie, Emma and Sarah;
17 great-grandchildren with one on the way;
a son-in-law, Paul Gillespie of Scottsdale, AZ,a sister, Ruth (Carl) Schmidt of California;
one brother-in-law, Charles (Betty) Smith of St. Charles, MO;
two sisters-in-law, Marilyn Mitas of Mebane, NC, and Nancy (Dennis) Dubach of Highland, IL;
and nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.  Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation:  Friends may visit from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Monday, October 16, 2017, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.

 Funeral:  A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday, October 16, 2017, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Fr. Matt Elie officiating. Burial will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.

 

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3 Comments on Mary Smith

Stephen and Carol said : Guest Report Oct 14, 2017 at 6:40 PM

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Aunt Mary. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May she rest in peace with Uncle Richard. She was a very nice lady who did many kind things for our family. Sincerely, Steve and Carol

  • Highland
  • IL
Jannith Tribout said : Guest Report Oct 14, 2017 at 4:24 PM

I’d like to say Mary was a real good friend of mine for a long time. Her and her husband Richard were special to me. We volunteered together at Memorial. I became real close to them, and remember eating lunch with them. But even before that Mary reached out to me when my daughter, Allison was sick and passed away from Leukemia at the age of 10. She wrote a poem that may help your family today. I have it framed with my daughter’s picture. Memories are the pictures that we carry in our heart. Dear and precious keepsakes, that we treasure from the start. With all the loving memories you left behind, we will never be apart. Mary touched so many lives, and I feel blessed to have known her.

  • Fairview Heights
  • IL
Brandi Mason said : Guest Report Oct 13, 2017 at 9:32 PM

I'm so sorry for your loss. Mary was a beautiful mother both inside and out. Sending healing and loving energy.

  • Boulder
  • CO

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