Mary Ann Smith's Obituary
Mary Ann Smith of Longview, Texas, died peacefully at her home on March 5, 2005 surrounded by family, after a heroic battle with breast cancer. Mary Ann was happiest when surrounded by family and friends, as she was during the weeks preceding her death. She loved her husband and her children, and they loved her. The rock of her family, she will be greatly missed.
Born in Houston, Texas, on October 5, 1943, Mary Ann was the first of five daughters born to Rudy and Carrie Puhl. She was baptized November 1, 1943 at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Houston. She graduated from Marion High School in 1962 and attended North Texas Normal College for one year before returning to Houston to marry the love of her life, Don Smith, in 1963. Their loving marriage produced three children: Katherine, Douglas and Suzanne. Don?s career moved them from Houston, to Richmond, Virginia, back to Houston, finally settling in Longview, Texas for the last 25 years. Mary Ann spent her life in service to others in her church and in community organizations. Her interests were varied; her enthusiasms for them, immeasurable. Some of the organizations and positions she held through the years include: Regent of Court St. Bridget #2269, President of the St. Mary?s Our Lady?s Guild, President of the East Texas Deanery, President of Tyler Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, President of Oak Forest Country Club Golf Association, President of IC Green Ladies Investment Club, member of the American Cancer Society ? Reach for Recovery and Vice President of the Gregg County Genealogy Society. Mary Ann?s greatest legacy is that her three children are true servants of the Catholic Church. All three children are confirmed Catholics and are raising their children with a strong Catholic foundation. Survivors include her husband Don Smith; daughter Katherine Toups and her husband Wayde of Spring, Texas; son Douglas Smith and wife Kelley of Katy, Texas; daughter Suzanne Griffin of Charleston, West Virginia and husband Jeff; her sisters, Rainelda Puhl of San Diego, California; Linda Puhl and Carolyn Osborn of Houston, Texas; Suzan Murphy of Knoxville, Tennessee. In addition, her father, Rudy Puhl, of Houston, Texas, survives her. She has eight precious grandsons and one grand princess. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Mary?s Catholic School Library, 405 Hollybrook Dr., Longview, Texas 75605 or Heart?s Way Hospice, 1306 Pine Tree Rd., Longview, Texas 75604. A rosary will be recited on Monday, March 7, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 2108 Rodgewood, Longview, Texas and family will receive friends following the rosary from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 noon Tuesday, March 8, at St. Mary?s Catholic Church, 2108 Ridgewood, Longview, Texas. Burial will be in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, March 9 at Forest Park Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, Texas at 2:00 p.m., with visitation from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m.
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