Mary Ellen Nolan Smith was born on October 10, 1926 in Auburn, NY., the daughter of Clarence W. and Ruth B. Herrmann Nolan. She graduated from St. Alphonsus Grade School and Holy Family High School in that city. After she graduated from the College of New Rochelle and Cortland State Teacher’s College where she received her Masters in Education degree, she taught Kindergarten in Niagara Falls, NY, Rochester, NY, and Auburn, NY. She met her husband of 53 years, Robert William Smith, while teaching 3rd Grade in Detroit, Michigan.
Mary Ellen, Bob and their children called many places home, spending the longest time in Elmira, NY, Canandaigua, NY and Front Royal, VA. Mary Ellen had an unwavering faith in God, and shared these beliefs with her children, her parish (wherever she lived), and her broader community. The Smiths chose Front Royal, VA because of they recognized the beauty of the parish and Catholic community and settled there in 1998. As an active member of the St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Front Royal she served her parish community as a catechist and reveled in the chance to teach the young about the Catholic Faith. Mary Ellen taught the 3rd graders CCD for many years and lead the Junior Legion of Mary. As a member of the Legion of Mary, she welcomed the opportunity to evangelize to others about the beauty and truth of the One Apostolic Church. Mary Ellen loved the Virgin Mary and had a great devotion to the rosary.
Mary Ellen was a dedicated defender of life, and volunteered in pro-life advocacy groups, including Birth Right, the Front Royal Pregnancy center, and many others, since 1973. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert William Smith, January 2, 2012. She is survived by her seven children, Maureen R. Long (Stan), Sheila M. Smith, Mary Brigid Cahill (Jim), Margaret (Margi) M. Loesel (Bill), Sean J. Smith (Kris), Catherine (Katie) M. Shorter (Andy), and Patricia (Patty) A. Leitz (Ed), and 26 grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at Maddox Funeral Home on Friday, June 1, 2018 between the hours of 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. The Legion of Mary will pray the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.
Mary Ellen believed strongly in the power of prayer, and asked that instead of flowers, prayers be offered for her soul, Masses be offered in her memory, and donations be made to Human Life International (HLI) a Right to Life organization or EWTN the Catholic television station in her name. Thank you.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Your mom has a special place in my heart.
Dear Smith Family,
I’m very sorry to hear about your Mom passing away, but I’m thankful that she went peacefully. She had such a devotion to the Blessed Mother, that she most certainly was taken to Heaven by her. Keeping all of you in my prayers. With deep sympathy, Regina Kloeker ( AKA Sheila’s friend Reggie)
Hello,
I’m so sorry to hear about her passing. I have so many great memories of her from our childhood. What a kind, funny woman! We’re thinking of all of you during this time.
I have many fond memories from St Mary’s in Canandaigua. What a wonderful lady and inspiration to all.
Our thoughts are with the family at this time.
Blessings to you. What a wonderful Lady Heaven has just received. Our Prayers and thoughts s go out to all of our Cousins and your families.❤️🙏 Love, Mary Jo, Barry, and Family
My Condolences to all my Smith relatives. Mary Ellen is my 1st cousin on my father’s side. We grew up together in Auburn, N.Y. with all our Nolan cousins and she was my favorite one. I talked to her on the phone a few years ago and we caught up with each other. My father was Peter and there were 5 of us in our family. Mary Ellen probably told you about all the Nolan parties at Uncle Clarence’s and Aunt Ruth’s. Such fun. I am thinking about all of you and how much you will miss your mom. Fondly, Mary Nolan Beck
Our family is truly so sorry to hear of Aunt Mary Ellen’s passing. We will be keeping you all in our prayers in the many days ahead.
Sincerely, Rhonda McConnell and family (Mary Ellen Solomon-Nolan’s sister)
Sending love and prayers to the whole Smith Family. I’m so sorry for your lose, your mom was a wonderful person. I’m glad that you were all able to be there for her. She was lucky to be so loved.
Dear Smith children, my heart is aching tonight (8/27/2018) because I finally found your mother, St. Mary Ellen, here on this site. I’d been trying to find her, but haven’t had any luck. We did connect on our computers once, but then lost touch. I’ve always missed her and thought of her with much love through these years. I believe your Mom is a Saint. I’ve never known anyone so devoted to Our Lord, the Blessed Mother, her Church, and her wonderful family. Mary Ellen was a wonderful friend who helped me through some rough times and showed me the way to a stronger and truer belief in my. Faith. She was a friend to so many and loved and admired by all who knew her. She never said no to a request to help, even as she was so busy with all of you—but what at a wonderful mother and wife. She loved you all so much and often told me about your lives and adventures. I know she was so proud of you all, too! My children: Bill lives in Horseheads, is retired and is buying a condo to rent and a house for himself in Myrtle Beach. He has a son. Kathleen is a Doctor of Pharmocology and lives and works near Jacksonville. Jennifer &her husband are both accountants, but Jen stays at home with their four children. Michael earned his Post.-Doc in Organic Chem.he died in 1998. Corrinne is a teacher,where she lives with her son, Mark, in Buffalo. Corrie is being treated for Stage 4 breast cancer metastisized. She was given 20 months, but her new drug has begun to kill some of her cancer cells, so we are hoping and praying we will have more time with her. Please keep her in your prayers. My husband died two years ago after a blood clot following surgery. I am a retired School Psychologist. I’ve had many surgeries, but am doing pretty well in my Independent Living apt, in Richmond,Va.(senior living). I’m picturing you all grown up and living the lives your parents prayed you would have. I wish you much love, happiness, and holiness. If you would ever want to contact me and bring me up to date I would love it. 😃 804-744-1020. Bon Air Crossings Dr. Apt 139, N. Chesterfield, Va. I am also on Facebook.❤️🙋♀️