Mary A. Smith

Mary A. Smith, 94, had a massive stroke in her apartment at Hawthorn Cottage assisted living in Traverse City on Friday afternoon, May 8.  She died on May 13, 2020, at Pavilions under Hospice care.

Mary was born at home on Dec. 29, 1925 on her family’s farm in Mancelona. She went to Tilley School as a child and then graduated from Mancelona High School in 1943. After graduation she moved to Detroit and was an office girl at American Standard until 1949 when she married Ken Smith on Oct. 8.  

They built a house in Alden on the hill across from the train depot and enjoyed a view of Torch Lake. Mary worked at the Alden Post Office for 15 years retiring as Post Master in January, 1988.  She and Kenny retired on the same day when they were 62. Mary and Kenny enjoyed travel to Mexico and Barbados; she liked spending time in Florida, and went on a cruise to Alaska. Mary loved gardening and being outdoors. She and Ken landscaped their hill after retirement putting in a waterwheel, waterfall and pond. She loved working in her gardens and had a very green thumb.

Mary was a good homemaker and cook.  Her potato salad and pies were favorites. She liked playing cards and rumicube with her friends Buddie, Norma, Jo and her son Mark. Many happy days were spent at the pool in the backyard. Her grandkids and their friends would swim and visit often.

Mary was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Bellaire. She was preceded in death by her husband Ken in 1996, her parents Mike and Anna Korr, siblings Sr. Mary Paulette, Margaret, Mike, John, George, Martin, Frank Korr.  She is survived by her sister Josephine Zerilli, four children Carolyn Nowfel (Gregg) of Alden, Paul Smith (Elizabeth) of Alden, Jean Ackerman (Jeff) of Kingsley, and Mark Smith of Traverse City. She has two grandchildren Dr. Simon Smith of New York City (Dr. Savana Thor), Emely Nicol (Scott) Leighton Buzzard, U.K., three great grandchildren Bianca and Reagan in NYC, and Evelyn in the U.K.  Mary also has many nieces and nephews.

 It took a village to care for Mom the last several years. Special thanks to Comfort Keepers when she lived in Alden, the staff and nurses at Hawthorn Cottage, the doctors and nurses at Munson, and lastly the nurses at Pavilions and the Hospice nurse.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private family Mass was held at St. Luke Catholic Church and interment took place at Helena Township Cemetery, Alden.  Memorials may be made to a food pantry of your choice.

Arrangements have been handled by the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign her online guestbook mortensenfuneralhomes.com.