Mary B. Smith

Mary Bernice Smith, 97, died peacefully on October 27, 2023. She was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, and on retirement moved to join her brother Paul in Provincetown in 1996. Mary lived a life of faith in and service to the Catholic Church.

Upon graduation from high school, Mary joined the religious order of the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown. Sister Mary Leah taught elementary and high-school students throughout the Youngstown Diocese. During this time, Mary earned multiple advanced degrees: a Bachelor’s in Education from St. John’s College, a Master’s in History from Marquette University, and a PhD (ABD) in History from Kent State University. After 31 years of service to the Ursuline Order, Mary trained and worked as a Hospital Chaplain in multiple hospitals in Ohio, Michigan, and North Carolina for nearly 20 years.

Upon her retirement from the ministry, Mary joined her brother in Provincetown and continued to work part-time for Elder Services and the Provincetown Library. Mary was embraced by the Provincetown community and lived there independently for the last 20 years.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, John I and Katherine (Malone) Smith; her brother, Paul L. Smith; and her sister, Catherine M. (Smith) Gallagher. She is survived by her nephews, Michael P. Gallagher of Youngstown, Ohio, and Lawrence T. (wife, Christine) Gallagher of Andover, New Jersey.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter the Apostle Church, 11 Prince Street, Provincetown,

Massachusetts, on Monday, November 6th at 11:00 AM. Mary will be interred at St. Peter’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mary’s memory to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (https://ssvpusa.org/).