She was born in Gardner, Mass. on August 28, 1925, the daughter of Alfred and Alice (O’Brien) Hébert. She graduated with honors from Gardner High School, Class of 1943, and then supported the World War II efforts by assembling fuel tanks for bombers. In 1944, she married Ensign John C Miller with whom she had two sons, the loves of her life. Later, she received a B.A. degree from Fitchburg State University and began teaching in Athol, Mass. Eventually she moved to Worcester, Mass. where she started a career as a social worker. The next move was to Northern California where she lived half of her life, continuing as a social worker and attending UC-Berkeley for a Masters in Social Work. She married John Smith of San Jose.
The Catholic faith and Blessed Mother were at the core of Marie’s daily life as she served her church in many ways. For years, she volunteered for the Dominicans at Saint Albert's Priory to help them raise funds for their Mission Foundation. She also helped the Salesian house in Berkeley and the Capuchin priests and brothers. For ten years, Marie served as a lay sister at the Carmel in Kensington and helped care for the nuns. She eventually took the three-year study program to become a Third Order Carmelite and was vested in the Brown Scapular of the Carmelite Order as a lay member. Marie devoted her life to daily morning and evening prayers and prayerful reading of the scriptures. Throughout her life, she remained faithful to values taught as a child and was always willing to help those who were less fortunate.
Marie is survived by her two sons, Wayne (Wendy) and Mark, three grandchildren, (Carol, Katie, Kevin), eight great grand children, five step-children (Lauren, Leslie, Ken, Kerry, Matthew) and the many wonderful family memories from birthday and holiday celebrations. She leaves her brothers, Edward and Jean, many Acadian cousins in Canada and church brethren. She was predeceased by her parents, both husbands and a brother, Norman.
Marie’s passing will be celebrated with a Funeral Mass followed by burial at St Dominic’s in Benicia, California. Condolences can be offered at McAulay & Wallace Mortuary www.mcaulaywallace.com
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