Mary Louise Joyce-Smith, 87, passed into the Glory of God on March 14, 2019, at University Hospital in Cleveland, after a short illness. She was born October 1, 1931 to Isadore and Kathleen (Fox) McNulty in Windber, Pennsylvania, the second youngest of 6 children. A coal miner's daughter, she lived through the depression and the hard times of World War II before marrying James Joyce on September 15, 1951. They raised three children, moving to Cleveland in 1954 and then Brook Park in 1956. Mr. Joyce passed away on June 14, 1993. On August 30, 1997 Mary married George C. Smith and he survives. Mary and George lived together in Aurora.
Mary dreamed all her life of becoming a nurse and in 1971, graduated from Cuyahoga Community College, at the same time her oldest daughter graduated from High School. She worked for many years as a Registered Nurse at St. Vincent Charity Hospital. She kept up her Registration for many years after her retirement. After she married George, a Certified Public Accountant, she learned about accounting and became an active part of that business, at a time when many retirees were relaxing on the couch.
Mary was a devout Roman Catholic all her life, finding grace, peace and salvation in that faith. She passed the love of Jesus Christ to her children.
Mary's interests were varied and numerous and she remained active and independent right up to the day of her illness. She loved gardening and flowers, was an accomplished seamstress, loved computer games, eating out and travel. Sedona, Arizona was amongst her favorite places in the world. She and George traveled there 22 times. Mary and George had an active and happy social life together and are known not just in the Cleveland area, but throughout the United States.
Mary was the last surviving member of her immediate family, having been pre-deceased by her parents, two brothers and three sisters. She is survived by her beloved husband George C. Smith III, daughters Michaelene (Brian) Hanrahan and Catherine (Richard) Herrlich, son James J. (Irene Jannsohn) Joyce Jr., grandchildren Curtis (Hanae Bendali) Bratton, Rachel Bratton Pearson, Erik Joyce, Evan Joyce and Elena Joyce, great-grandchildren Nolan and Kenzie Bratton, step-daughters Deborah A.(fiance George Glassmeyer) Smith, Diana (Les) Rau and Theresa (Chet) Inman, step-grandchildren Steven (Shelby) Rau, Teshira Rau, Mariana Charm Rau, and Jennifer Inman and step-great grandchildren Channing and Camden Rau and Olive. Also survived by brother-in-law Robert Helman, sisters-in law Patricia Benko and Sandra (Michael) Tallyen and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Visitation for family and friends will be at Corrigan Craciun Funeral Home, 20820 Lorain Rd, Fairview Park, OH 44126, 440-331-0500, Monday March 18,2019 6PM-8PM, Tuesday March 19,2019 4PM-7PM , Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 9:30 AM at St. Malachi's Church, 2459 Washington Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113. Interment will be afterward in Holy Cross Cemetery, 14609 Brookpark Rd, Brook Park, OH 44142 .
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made directly to St. Edward's High School, where a scholarship fund will be set up in the name of Mary Joyce-Smith. St. Edward's High School, 13500 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107, 216-221-3776
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