Mary was born November 14, 1926 to Ed Province and Madeline Martha Walsh in Solomon, Kansas. Her parents divorced while she was quite young and her mother moved the family to Canyon City, Colorado and later to Pueblo, where her mother remarried to Arthur Millard Smith, who formally adopted Mary and her older sister, Nellie Mae Smith in 1944.
Mary graduated from Central High School in 1944 and after graduation attended Nurses’ Training at Corwin Hospital and worked at Colorado State Hospital until she married Merlin Hervey Smith on July 16, 1951 in Taos, New Mexico.
Mary had two children, Allyson and David and during their growing up years, was an Avon Lady, volunteered with the Girl and Boy Scouts, PTA and was extremely active in the County Extension 4-H Program and her church, Westminster Presbyterian. In 1970 she returned to nursing school at Southern Colorado State College and after receiving her degree, worked as an RN in the Pediatric Department of St. Mary Corwin Hospital for 12 years.
Mary volunteered for 60 years with the 4-H program, organizing, and leading many clubs, Leader’s Councils, and numerous contests and service projects. In 1979, she was presented with the Colorado Outstanding 4-H Leader award, and was the Pueblo County Outstanding Volunteer for 1980-81. She also received the Colgate Youth of America Award in 1990 and the National Pride of America award in 1992.
At her church, she was a deacon, taught Vacation Bible School, made dozens of migrant bags every year, organized Thanksgiving Baskets and made costumes for the Christmas pageant. She was very crafty and at one time sewed professionally. She loved her puppies and had many over her lifetime.
Her last five years were spent in Texas, near her daughter’s family, enjoying her grandchildren and great grands who lovingly called her Gigi.
Her husband of 45 years, Merlin, passed on October 2, 1996. She is survived by her daughter, Allyson Rae Klenzendorf (Bill) of Hutto, Texas and three grandsons, Brad Klenzendorf (Lori), Brian Klenzendorf (Stephanie) and Brandon Klenzendorf (Whitney). Also, son David Kent Smith (Brenda) of Pueblo, CO. and granddaughters, Cassandra Trusty (Michael) and Candace Spens (David). Her grandson, Chris Smith, pre-deceased her. She is also survived by 15 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, Mary had requested that donations be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church or the Pueblo 4-H Extension Office in her name.
Services will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 10 University Circle, Pueblo on Saturday, July 27th at 10:00 a.m. Interment at Roselawn Cemetery immediately after.
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