Marie Ann Smith

She was born October 29, 1926, in Chester, PA. She was the daughter of the late Lawrence Cunningham (1894-1950) and Mary (McLaughlin) Cunningham (1898-1980). Marie was a devout Catholic. She attended St. Michael Grade School and graduated Notre Dame High School in 1944 (on D-Day). She worked as a chemist at Allied Chemical until 1947 when she married John Jay Smith (1926-2003). Together they had 10 children: Timothy, Kevin, Dennis, Stephen, Maureen, Shawn, Francis, Jacqueline, Anne, and Lucy.

She lived in Pennsylvania until 1956 when she moved into IHM parish for 9 years and then Christ Our King Parish in 1965 where she remained a loyal member until it closed on her 90th birthday in 2016. She spent much of her life caring for her children and grandchildren. News of the birth of a grandchild or great-grandchild brought her great joy. She firmly believed that life is precious from conception until natural death.

She was a frequent volunteer at church bazaars, carnivals, prayerlines, etc. She was a faithful adorer at the perpetual adoration chapels at St. Ann and IHM.

She is survived by 9 of her 10 children, their spouses Kathleen, Jeanne, Lois, James, Roberta, Amy, Timothy, Bryan, George, 38 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son Francis in 2022, her granddaughter Desiree in 2021, her great-granddaughter Kaylene in 2016, her sister Catherine in 2002, and her brother Lawrence in 1984.

Funeral Mass will be on June 29, 2023, at 11am at Holy Rosary Church, 3200 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE 19703. Visitation prior to the service from 9:30am-11am. Burial following at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cemetery, Linwood, PA.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Holy Souls Ministry, 2826 Normandy Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19154, or the charity of your choice.