Mary Therese Smith

1929 - 2026

Mary Therese Smith
Big Rapids, Michigan
06/28/1929 - 02/09/2026
Mary Therese Smith, a beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt, Friend and a huge Kansas City Chiefs fan passed away Monday February 9, 2026, at Big Rapids Fields, surrounded by her family. She was born in Big Rapids, MI, on June 28, 1929, to William J and Margaret M (Tighe) Horgan. She was a graduate of Big Rapids High School class of 1947.
On May 27, 1955, Mary married her love Alexander J. Smith in Norfolk VA, where their oldest son Alex was born. They then moved back to Big Rapids and added three more children to the family Diana, Tim and Joe.
Mary worked for Michigan Bell for 35 years before she retired. But she decided retirement was not for her, so she went back to work for Ferris State Alumni for 10 years and retired from there to take care of her sick husband. After his passing she decided to go back to work again, so in April 1998 was hired to work in the cafeteria at the Big Rapids Middle School, where she worked for the next 17 years alongside her daughter Diana.
Mary attended St. Mary's Parish where she was a devoted lifetime member. Her faith was very important to her; she volunteered at luncheons and was always ready to bake something when needed. Strawberry pretzel and Oreo desert were some of her favorite dishes. Mary also volunteered for the Red Cross at Mecosta County General Hospital for many years. She was a proud member of the American Legion and the Big Rapids Eagles Auxiliary. In her younger days she sang with the Rapid Tones, was an avid bowler, and loved her flower gardens. The Wolverine dinner club with 5 beautiful ladies would venture out every week for a good time of laughs, food, and dancing for many years.
Mary is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, Diana (Robert) Halstead; Mike Halstead, Willow and Stella, Robbie Halstead, Sarah (Kyrt) Bass, Logan, Kyrtysse (aka Lil Man), and Kolesyn. Tim (Shelly) Smith; Chad (Amy) Stephen, Danae and Devin, Cody (Cheyenne) Hope, Colton and Weston, and Trevor (Jessica) Smith, Darriana, Darrian, and Ryder. Joe (Dee) Smith; Adam (Maria) Johnson, Heather (Travis) Moss, Lily, Phoenix, Huxley, and Brantley, Alex (Masha) Smith, Cleo, Abby, Sophia, and Eva. Mary is also survived by her sister in-law Virginia Horgan, many nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
Mary Therese is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Al, son Alex, brothers Denny and Jim, Sister Joanne (Ed) O'Neil, great granddaughter Faith, nieces Debbie and Sheri, great nephew Bradley, and many of her beloved pets. Even though Mary has left this earth we know she is in heaven looking down on us, dancing, enjoying her sweets, walking through her flower gardens, and is at peace.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 27, 2026, at St. Mary Catholic Church with Father Dan DePew as celebrant. Mary's family will greet friends from 3-6 p.m., Thursday, February 26th at Mohnke Janowicz Funeral Home in Big Rapids, and beginning at 10 a.m. Friday at the church. A Rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Mary will be laid to rest next to Al and Alex in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Big Rapids. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Shriner's Children Hospital.