Mary E. Smith

MARY E. (DOLAN) SMITH – of Woburn, died peacefully on November 23rd, with her family by her side, at the age of ninety-seven. She would have celebrated her 98th birthday in February.

Born and raised in Chelsea, Mary was the cherished daughter of the late Walter J. and Viola (Kaulback) Dolan. She was the middle child, with an older brother Walter, and a younger sister, Eleanor. Mary had many friends and was a proud graduate of Chelsea High School. She enjoyed playing softball and remained competitive her entire life.

Mary married the love of her life, Walter A. Smith (Wally), an Army veteran, who was also born and raised in Chelsea. Together they devoted their lives to raising and nurturing seven children. Once her children were in school, Mary began working in the Woburn Public Schools as a lunch lady, spending the majority of her career at Woburn High School, where she was warmly regarded by staff and students alike.

Independent and strong, Mary continued to drive until very recently. She and her husband Wally shared a love of travel and dancing, making countless memories together throughout the years. The family spent many cherished summers in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, and Mary especially treasured her trips to Disney World and her "girls' weekends" with her daughters.

Mary loved games of all kinds-Rummikub, Bingo, Left Right Center, cribbage, mahjong, and cards-and was an avid reader. She enjoyed PBS and British television, often relaxing with a good book or one of her favorite shows. She loved a sparkling clean home, and while she took great pride in keeping things immaculate, she was the first to admit she did not enjoy cooking. Above all, Mary was a woman of deep faith. A devoted Catholic, she prayed the rosary daily and lived her life with grace, gratitude, and quiet strength.

She was the beloved wife of the late Walter A. Smith. Devoted mother of Mary Ellen Ray and her husband David of Reading; Walter A. Smith Jr. and his wife Karen of Lowell; Kathleen A. Thompson and her late husband Michael of Townsend; Therese V. DeSilva and her husband Joseph of NJ; Robert M. Smith and his wife Susan of IL; Lisa M. MacDougall and her husband James of Haverhill; and the late Mark F. Smith and his wife Patricia of FL. Loving grandmother of Matthew, Timothy, Caitlin, Sean, Ian, Connor, Peter, and Claire; and great-grandmother of Brendan, Conor, Jesse, and Charlie. Dear sister of the late Walter J. Dolan Jr. and Eleanor F. Driscoll. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn, on Wednesday, December 3rd at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to calling hours in the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn, on Tuesday, December 2nd from 4–7 p.m.