Mary K. Smith

Mary K. Smith Battle Creek Mary K. Smith 81, of Battle Creek, died peacefully Friday, March 13, 2009, at Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence. She was born July 19, 1927 in Battle Creek, the daughter of John and Josephine (Kurzawski) Kulik; and was a 1945 graduate of St. Philip Catholic High School. Mary trained at Mercy College of Nursing in Detroit and also at Cadet Nurse Corp. She graduated in 1948 as a Registered Nurse. She was a well-known part of the OB/GYN practice for Campbell, Powers and Stephenson, worked at Leila Hospital early in her life and retired from the practice of Dr. Terrance Marcelle. Mary is survived by a daughter, Patricia A. (Richard) Oldham of Battle Creek; two sons, Michael J. Smith of Ottawa Lake, William D. "Billy" (Robin) Smith of Houston, TX; six grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; a twin sister Sophie R. Bremer of Battle Creek; and numerous nieces and nephews. Her parents and her sister, Georgia Pratt, preceded her in death. Mary was a member of St. Philip Catholic Church, a charter member of St. Jerome Catholic Church, an Alumna of Leila Hospital and St. Philip High School, and a member of WSO at St. Philip. Mary will be remembered by many in our community as an involved and dedicated nurse, whose natural ability to comfort and support created warmth and trust with her patients. She loved those mamas and babies! Her children remember her as hardworking and dedicated, balancing a career and family life. She loved reading, camping, supporting her church, ceramics and all things crafty. She also loved pretzels, coffee nips, and ice-cold diet coke. Grandma Mary is cherished and loved by all of her grandchildren. Each one has many memories too numerous to name. But all of her grandchildren remember her special "flavored kisses". Those kisses said 'hello" or good-bye" They could take away a "boo-boo" or a "monster under the bed." They were given as encouragement or support and they ALWAYS meant "I love you." So now those "flavored kisses" are returned to Mary with a promise to carry on this tradition of love. Peppermint kisses to you Grandma! At the request of the family, friends may call after 2:00 pm Monday, March 16, 2009, where friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, at 7:00 pm, a Rosary will be recited. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 10:30 am at St. Philip Catholic Church, with Fr. Charles H. Fischer Celebrant. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in her name at St. Vincent DePaul Society or Lifespan Good Samaritan Hospice Residence. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com