Obituary of Mary Catherine Smithson

Peacefully at home with her husband Ron of 62 years, Mary passed away on Friday, May 23rd, 2014, at the age of 84. Through her marriage with Ron, Mary was blessed with the love of her children: Michael (Jo Anne), John (June), Joe, Kathy, Bill (Nancy), and Judi (Shawn) Corkery; loving grandmother to: Brendon, Corrin (Christian) McWhirter, Sean, Lorne, Chad, Nicholas, Nicole (Kenny) Vansickle, Paul, Jordan, Sharon and James. Great-grandmother who adored her grandchildren: Dylan, Brooke, Ava, Owen, Blake, Lucy and Samantha; her sister Ann (Norm) St. Denis; and special family members: Kay, Rhonda, Heather, Ann, Erin, Kym: and the many friends she touched within the community. A special thanks to Dr. Stabanio, the Juravinski Cancer clinic staff especially Deb Evans and Deb (VON) and Mary (PSW) for making her final days with comfortable. Mary was a very active member in her parish, St. Francis Xavier Church, Stoney Creek, for 62 years. She was a 70 year member of the CWL and Mary was a coordinator of the Marriage Preparation course, together with her husband Ron, for over 30 years. Mary was also an active member of her community: member of The Saltfleet Library Book Club; member of the Advisory Committee for the Disabled, City of Hamilton; President of CHHA, Hamilton Branch; planning committee for the Diocesan Anniversary Mass with Bishop Ustrzyci, Board member of the Stoney Creek Non Profit Housing committee; volunteer at the Stoney Creek Policing Centre of the Hamilton Police Service. Mary was a graduate of St. Joseph’s School of nursing in 1950. She was honored with the Hamilton Senior of the Year Award in 2008 and Mary together with Ron received The Diocesan Medal of Honour in 2000. Friends will be received at the Donald V. Brown Funeral Home, 36 Lake Avenue Drive, Stoney Creek, on Sunday, May 25, 2014 from 7-9 p.m., and Monday, May 26, 2014 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Vigil prayers at 8:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Parish, 304 Highway #8, Stoney Creek on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Cremation to follow. In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, CHHA – Hamilton, or Birthright would be appreciated by the family. Notes of sympathy or condolence may be left at www.donaldvbrown.ca