Mary Patricia Smith

Mary Patricia Smith

(March 11, 1940-July 30, 2025)

Mary (nee Reilly) Smith died on Wednesday , July 30 in Lawrence, Kansas following a long illness.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, to Thomas and Katherine (nee O'Connor) Reilly, Mary enjoyed her childhood in that remarkable city with her large, colorful first generation Irish family. She loved recalling her days working on Wall Street until her marriage to Charles P. Kelly (2001) of the NYPD. They raised their five children in Brooklyn until relocating to Sullivan County, NY in the 1970's to be closer to family. Mary was a beloved staff member at Eldred Central School where she was a fabulous secretary to the principal before her marriage to educator Edward P. Smith of Wantage, NJ. She retired shortly after and enjoyed their wonderful partnership for several decades until his untimely death in 2006. Together they traveled, hosted and visited family, and spent many happy times at their second home in York, Maine. Mary is predeceased by her beloved brothers William and Thomas Reilly, and sister Kay (nee Reilly) Morris. She is survived by her children, Christine (Michael) McPherson, Patricia (John) Crowley, Kathy (Michael) Wood, Ann (Renaud) Kelly, Charles (Nicole) Kelly, and brother Michael (Cherrie) Reilly, as well as nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. She will be sadly missed and held fondly in our hearts, and her fierce, unflinching loyalty, personal strength and no nonsense but humorous approach to life will live on. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Jude the Apostle RC Church, Hamburg, NJ on Saturday, Sept. 13 at noon followed by interment at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Franklin, NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation.