Ann C. Smith-Wallen

Ann C. Smith-Wallen, our good Irish Catholic matriarch, left this life on March 18th, 2026. We are very thankful that she did not screw up our favorite holiday! She was born on August 18th, 1950, in Ashland, PA. She was the middle child of Daniel J. Smith and Mary R. McLane of Mahoney Plane, PA. She moved to Penns Grove, NJ, in 1964 and graduated from Penns Grove High School in 1968. She lived briefly in Levittown, PA, before returning to Penns Grove to build a life, start a career at DuPont Chambers Works, and begin a family.

Mom loved her 4 siblings (Mary, Peggy, Danny, and Jack) dearly. She always recalled their shenanigans, adventures, and life with their parents in such a beautiful way! I am sure it is because of that that she became the amazing mother, aunt, and grandmother she was. She met Herbert Wallen sometime in the 1970's (listen, I wasn't born yet, so I'm not sure of the details!) They had their only child together in 1979, got married in 1982, and my Mom had 6 bonus children (most of them were grown, so not really children). In an amazing twist, it also brought my siblings' mother into our lives! Pat and my Mom enjoyed nothing more than a night at the casino or a night at bingo together! Mom enjoyed beagle trials in the 80's, and loved dogs in general; she had beagles, Irish setters, Black Labs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Pitbulls, and probably more that I don't know about (I was only around for 46 years of her life!) She also had birds (which I never really understood because she was there the day I became traumatized by birds! So, did we really need little winged torments as pets? lol) Mom was on borough council in Penns Grove; she was actually a part of putting together the very first Penns Grove Day. She did so many things in her life that if I wrote it all out, this would be a novel.

Mom's life changed forever when she became a grandmother (It may have been a little earlier in life than she ever expected), but she was the most amazing MomMom. She loved taking her Michael places and teaching him new things, she loved watching her Awesome play baseball, and she was always thrilled by the fact that her Zander loved history as much as she did. She loved taking them places and being a part of their everyday life. She was their biggest supporter every day. She absolutely let them get away with everything she never let me get away with, but I will admit the three of them were a piece of cake compared to what she dealt with being my Mom when I was a teenager. MomMom got to experience the next big chapter in her life last year when she became a great-grandmother to Azriel (AJ to her).

My Mom was a very devout Catholic, she loved God and her religion, and being Irish. I hope you always think of her when you lose something and a little voice says, "Talk to St Anthony."

She loved family get-togethers, and most of my childhood we spent visiting so many different relatives. After she married my Dad, she loved spending time with his family too, and because of that, I have gotten to spend time with so many people on both sides of my family, and I will forever be thankful for that. She made sure I had a wonderful childhood, and I am so thankful for the lessons I learned that have shaped me into the parent I became. She knew everyone's birthday, so if you don't hear from me on your birthday ever again, just know she didn't tell me, but she will absolutely be wishing a birthday from heaven cause she won't forget your birthday, or any catholic holiday, or any saint's day.

Mom was a huge Phillies, Eagles, and Notre Dame Fan. She watched the games the same way her Dad did, in a recliner with both eyes closed, but by god don't touch that remote cause the next words you would hear were "I was watching that."

I hope this helps you understand what an incredible woman my mom was. I don't want her to be remembered sadly, but as the larger-than-life, tiny woman Big Ann was (And yes, I did drop her nickname, because it was special)

We will be doing a catholic mass at The Parish of St. Gabriel the Archangel, St. Mary's RC Church, 25 Oak Street, Salem, on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 11 AM, followed by a true celebration of life. Before the mass, the family will begin to receive those who wish to pay their respects starting at 10 AM. Wear your favorite Phillies, Eagles, or Irish gear. Bring your favorite memories with you, and we'll eat all of her favorites and celebrate the wonderful human my Mom was.

To post condolences, go to adamsfuneralhome.org