Mary Smith

was the middle child of five daughters born to Gabor and Sophia Bogie,

Hungarian immigrants who settled on Chicago’s south side. Mary followed her sweetheart, Woodrow (Woody) Smith, to Coldwater, where they were married in June, 1933. They were both 18. Woody died in 1991. She is survived by her two sons, James (Joanne) and Thomas (Jane),

three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren.

Mary cared deeply for her family, friends, community, church, charities and

political party. Upon arriving in Coldwater, she plunged into the life of her adopted community. Mary’s life was busy, enthusiastic, effective and fun. She was an excellent bowler and once bowled a 297 game. She was a licensed insurance agent and served as an office nurse for several local physicians. After Jim was born, she became a stay at home mom, returning to the workforce when Tom entered fifth grade.

She served as a hospital volunteer for many years. She taught Sunday School at the Methodist Church, was a Cub Scout den mother, president of the band parents’ organization, president of the PTA at Washington Elementary, active in the Medical Assistants’ Association, a passionate supporter of Michigan State’s athletic teams, a member of the PEO Sisters International and an avid Republican.

She was a delegate to the 1984 National Convention in Dallas when

Nancy Reagan gave her famous “Let’s win one more for the Gipper” speech.

In 2009, the Exchange Club honored her with inclusion in its “Book of Golden

Deeds”. Over 400 people attended her 100th birthday party.

She was a driving force in the Tibbits Opera House restoration fund drive. She and Woody were active supporters of MSU athletics, the

College of Human Medicine and the Department of Kinesiology.

She was greatly appreciative of the wonderful treatment she received

at Masonville and Maple Lawn during the last years of her life.