Mary Barbara Smith

SMITH, (BROWNING), MARY BARBARA
Mary Browning Smith was a lifelong resident of Jackson. She was born September 29, 1918 to John W. and Anna Browning and passed away Friday, October 9, 2009. Mary Browning graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1936 and from Jackson Junior College in 1938. In 1941, she married John William (Bill) Smith, also a graduate of St. Mary's and Jackson Junior College. Bill's death in 1984 separated them after 43 years of marriage. Her siblings, John W. (Irene) Browning and Jean L. (Donald) Collins preceded her in death. Bill and Mary had five children, James (Lucia), Thomas, who died in 2007, David (Stephanie McFall), Daniel (Diana) and Barbara (Robert) Struber. She took great delight in her ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren and made each visit a memorable event. Mary worked for Commonwealth Associates after graduation, until her first child was born. In 1960, she joined Hall & Kennedy Insurance Agency, where she managed the personal lines department and became an officer of the company and a member of its board of directors. She served on the board of the Jackson Interfaith Shelter, and was a member of the Ella Sharp Museum Society. Mary was an active member and past Regent of the Catholic Daughters of America. Mary was an avid reader and bridge player. She was a founder of the Queen's Parish duplicate bridge league and often traveled to bridge tournaments. Mary traveled extensively in North America and Europe. She particularly enjoyed the driving trips she made with Bill to the Gaspe Peninsula, Vancouver, Victoria, and California. She also traveled to England, Scotland, Ireland, Mexico, France, Italy and Germany. In later years, she enjoyed traveling across the United States to visit family members. Mary was a fine swimmer and a Red Cross qualified lifeguard and instructor. Washington Avenue residents saw her walk to and from her office at Hall & Kennedy, often making the walk four times per day. As a girl, Mary spent summers at Gull Lake, Michigan, swimming, rowing and sailing, and she loved lakes all her life. Her eightieth and ninetieth birthdays were celebrated with her ever-growing family at Burt Lake, near Indian River, Michigan. Mary is at the Desnoyer Funeral Home where a Prayer Service will be held Wednesday 10:00 a.m. followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, where she was baptized, confirmed and married, at 10:30 a.m. After a private burial service, Mary will be interred next to her husband in the family plot in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Mary's family will receive visitors at Desnoyer Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 13, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Catholic Daughters of the Americas will conduct a rosary service on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.

Contributions in Mary's memory may be made to the St. Mary's Heritage Fund, 120 E. Wesley St., Jackson MI 49201.