Mary Smith

MARY L. SMITH

Cedar Rapids

Mary L. Smith, 59, of Cedar Rapids, died Tuesday, May 3, 2016, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City following a short illness. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at St. Jude Catholic Church, by the Rev. Mark Reasoner. Burial: St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. A vigil service will be 3 p.m. Friday at St. Jude Catholic Church, where friends may visit until 7 p.m. Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids is serving the family.

Mary was born Jan. 2, 1957, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Lloyd Lee and Rose Marie (Cronin) Sylvester. Mary met her husband of 34 years in high school and was united in marriage to Sterling Smith on April 24, 1982, in Cedar Rapids. She worked as a software engineer at Rockwell Collins for 29 years.

Mary was a mentor for Introduce a Girl to Engineering. She was a former Girl Scout and later became a Scout leader for her boys. Mary loved volunteering and was actively involved in America Reads and Shopping for the Homeless.

She was an active member of St. Jude's Parish for many years. She enjoyed crafting and craft shows, mushroom hunting and fishing.

Above all she loved spending time with her family. Mary always had a smile on her face and brought joy to everyone.

Mary is survived by her husband, Sterling; children, Matt (Meg) and Adam (Emily); her father, Lloyd; sisters, Laura (Dave) Koering, Joan Sylvester, Colleen (Mark) Kurtz, Julie (Jay) DeLancey, Janice (Mark) Brady and Karen (Isaac) Malone; brother, Dennis Sylvester; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Rose; and her sister, Cathy Faulkner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to American Heart Association or the family.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.