Born in Oneida, New York on February 19, 1953, she was the daughter of Robert F. and Lucy Rice Smith, Sr. Mary was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church and attended St. Patrick’s School until 9th grade. She was a graduate of Oneida High School, Class of 1971, and SUNY Oswego, Class of 1975, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree. Mary married Douglas Strom in St. Patrick’s Church on September 11, 1976. She was a resident of New York until 1980, and then lived in various states until settling in North Carolina in 2004.
She volunteered with Multiple Sclerosis Society as a rest stop team captain for the Bike MS New Bern for the past 18 years. Mary spent a ton of time with her grandchildren and granddogs, all of whom she loved dearly. She was an avid reader, enjoyed spending time at the beach watching sunsets, and was an amazing interior decorator, leaving her family to have a part of her in all of their homes. Together, Mary and Doug attended several Carolina Hurricanes hockey games, where she was always seen sporting her team t-shirt.
In addition to her husband, Mary is survived by her two daughters, Heather (Mike) Sawkiewicz of Fuquay-Varina, NC, and Carrie Strom of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Casey and Owen; brothers, Michael (Diane) Smith of Colorado, and David Smith of Oswego, NY; much loved nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, all of the loving extended family on Doug’s side, and her granddogs, Edith, Shadow and Chase.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Robert F. Smith, Jr.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, June 3, 2023 in the Chapel of Mitchell Funeral Home. Officiating will be Rev. Craig Gaither. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made the Multiple Sclerosis Society, by using the links below, under ‘donations’, please choose Bike MS and donate to Team Hibernian in Memory of Mary.
If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Mary, or a message of condolence for her family, you may do so below, within ‘add a memory’.
DONATIONS
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.1