Mae Smith

Park Ridge - Mae Smith passed away on May 26, 2024, at the age of 93. She had been residing at the United Methodist Communities at the Shores in Ocean City, NJ for the last year.

Mae was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1931. She was the third child of Dimitry and Nazira Abdelhak.

When she was three years old, her family moved to Park Ridge, NJ.

Mae attended Park Ridge High School, graduating in the class of 1948. She was a cheerleader, and she served as class secretary her senior year. For many years she helped organize her class reunions.

After high school, Mae attended McDowell School of Design in New York City. She then worked in the city for several years designing women's clothing.

In 1950 she met William Smith, and they were married on August 24, 1952. They had 71 years together before her passing.

Mae and Will had three children, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Mae had many interests and hobbies. She sewed, knitted, gardened, and did crossword puzzles. She also taught Sunday School at the Park Ridge United Methodist Church for over 40 years.

Mae and Will loved to travel. Over the years they went to Egypt, Europe, Hawaii, Russia, and Mexico. For their 60th wedding anniversary, they took their children and spouses on a cruise to Bermuda.

Mae was predeceased by her parents and her siblings, Eleanor Cochran-Heil, Edmund Abdelhak, and Jeanne Lazelle.

She is survived by her husband, her children, Donna (Grant), Mark (Lois), Lori (Jim), her grandchildren, a great-grandchild, and two on the way.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 13 at the Park Ridge United Methodist Church. A lunch reception will follow. There was a previous service at the nursing home for the residents and loving workers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Mae can be made to the United Methodist Church in Park Ridge, or to Unicef, Save the Children, or a charity of your choice.