Remembering Mary Frances Smith
Posted August 8, 2020 at 5:35 am by Peggy Sue McRae
Mary Frances Smith, longtime resident of Friday Harbor, passed away on July 21, 2020 at the age of 92 in Seattle, Washington.
She was preceded in death by her husband Vincent “Smitty”, sister Jean Kink, and brother Tom Meehan. She is survived by her brother Joe Meehan, daughter Jean (Michael) Rogers, sons Paul (Carolyn) and Michael, grand daughter Katherine (Alan) Kalili, grandsons Jonathan Rogers, Noah and Joren Smith, and great grandson Declan Kalili.
She was born a leap year baby February 29, 1928 in Bellingham, Washington. She and Smitty raised their family in Seattle before moving up to Friday Harbor in 1976 to start King Typesetting in association with the Island Record. She was one of the founders of the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor and served as Treasurer for many years. After Smitty passed she began her world travels and discovered she loved it. She especially loved visiting famous waterfalls all around the world. When not traveling, Mary volunteered at the Library, and “worked the election” (in her words). She truly embraced her life on the island.
Mary maintained close ties with family, friends and neighbors- logging many nautical miles on the Washington State Ferries. Babysitting grandkids, traveling, going to lunch and attending live theater were some of her favorite activities.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Mary’s honor to the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor. A virtual celebration of her life will be planned for the future.
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Categories: Obituaries, People
2 comments:
2 comments...
Dearest Mary.. To know you was to love you I’m grateful for our time together ! One of your sayings I adopted .. *We live in Hope* God speed 🙏
I will miss the times when Joann and I would sail into Friday Harbor and see Aunt Mary. We would always take her out to dinner after snacks on the boat. We would catch up on all things happening on San Juan Island. When I was little and my mom had enough of me, she would pawn me off to Aunt Mary and she would take me places that were new and exciting. Mary always remembered my birthday and I could count on a card every year like clock work. My mom, Jean, and Mary would often see and travel with each other mostly within state. They were great company for each other. For all that know her, she was a staunch democrat and that fit well in our family. We would talk about politics often from island to national political events. I hope that Mary and Jean are in the same place.
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