Marie "Cook" Smiles-Alex

Marie (Cook) Smiles-Alex of Jamaica Plain, MA, 95 years young, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2025 surrounded by family. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.

"Cookie" was born November 20, 1929 in Brighton MA the 8th of 9 children to Ernest Cook and Gertrude (McGregor) Cook. She grew up in Brighton/Allston MA. Marie's family spent many summers in York Beach, ME camping by the ocean. Her love for Maine continued throughout her life.

Marie met and later married her first husband Archie C. Smiles in November 1949. Together they had three children, Archie Jr., Katherine and Elizabeth. They lived and raised their family in Newton Highlands MA summering in Ogunquit then Moody Beach ME after they retired. Marie was a part time hostess at The Whistling Oyster in Perkins Cove (Ogunquit) for fun. She also took numerous painting classes during her summers in the vibrant art scene of Ogunquit, making many friends. Sadly, her husband died suddenly six months after retirement. This took Marie back to her beloved Boston to live closer to her siblings and family.

After moving back to Boston, Marie thrived in retail sales working for Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus in their fine jewelry and fur departments. Her beauty, class and charm made her a favorite of her bosses. It was during this time that she moved to Jamaicaway Towers in Jamaica Plain and resided there for the remainder of her life. It was also during this time that she met and married her second husband Chris Alex. They lived in a beautiful condo on the 29th floor of "The Towers" overlooking the city of Boston. Together they travelled extensively both in the US and abroad enjoying dancing, fine dining and listening to jazz at local clubs. They wintered for many years on Hutchinson Island, FL as well.

Marie was predeceased by her parents, her first husband and all her siblings (including numerous nieces and nephews.) She is survived by her husband Chris Alex of Jamaica Plain, son Archie Smiles Jr. of Boston, daughter Katherine Novick and her husband Skip of Wareham, MA, daughter Elizabeth ("Betsy") Kelley and her husband David of Eliot, ME, six grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff of All-American Memory Care in Wareham, MA and Compassionate Care Hospice for their warm and thoughtful care during a very difficult time. They would also like to thank Marie's oldest and closest niece Marie DeVincentis and her partner Blair Johnson for their unending love and friendship.

A private celebration of Marie's life will be held in the Spring for family in Ogunquit Maine.