Marian J. Smith

Marian J. Smith, 87, of Fort Wayne passed away quietly on Monday, January 6, 2020. She was born October 8, 1932, in Buffalo, NY to the late John and Jeanette (Graczyk) Wick. She was a homemaker and a member of the Tillman Park Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Marian enjoyed spending time with her family for whom she loved to cook and bake. She loved gardening, putting puzzles together, and caring for wild birds especially hummingbirds. She was a very humble and sweet individual who was considered “mom” and “grandma” by numerous friends. She dedicated her life to Jehovah on February 7, 1959, and faithfully served Him up to her death.

In her teens, Marian worked as a house maid for the late Harry and Bertha Hogan and resided at their residence on Rudisill Blvd. It was there that she met Walter and they were married on October 11, 1952, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Warsaw Street in Fort Wayne. They lived in Indianapolis for the first 3 years of their marriage. They then returned to Fort Wayne and built a house together in “Smithville” where they raised their 3 children and where Walter still lives. As a family they enjoyed studying the Bible together, taking vacations and spending time with family and friends.

She is survived by her husband, Walter G.; son, Walter J. (Julie) Smith; and daughters, Cheryl (Jon, deceased) Brodbeck and Connie (Mark) Schabow all of Fort Wayne; brothers, John (Evelyn) Wick, Joseph (Gloria) Wick, Stanley (Sharon) Wick all of Cleveland, OH, and sister, Marjorie (Melvin) Smith of Apache Junction, AZ; 8 grandchildren (Stacie, Cammie, Justin, Kristi, Jaime, Leah, Danielle and Andrew); 5 great-grandchildren (Aidan, Emma, Victoria, Avery, and Adina); as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Lewis Wick.

Memorial service is 12:00 PM, Saturday, January 18, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 6000 Abbott Street. Burial is at Greenlawn Memorial Park.