Mary Rita (Ring) Smith

MARY “RITA” (RING) SMITH, age 97, born on December 12, 1923, in St. Joseph, PA, passed away on Sunday, December 5, 2021, just 7 days short of her 98th Birthday.  She currently resided at Bridgewater Center, Binghamton, & previously lived on Main Street, in Kirkwood, for 50 years. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Donald Smith, age 49, on December 23, 1976.  She was predeceased by her beloved sister, Katharine Henry, age 99, who lived with her at Bridgewater Center, for 5 years, & who just passed away on March 29, 2020, & her sister, Margaret, who died at birth. She is survived by her four loving children, son Kenneth Smith (& Suzanne Smith), son Gerald Smith (& Jeanne Osenbaugh), daughter Linda Smith Bennett (& Harley Bennett), and son David Smith (& Penny Smith). She was extremely proud of her entire family, which includes 7 grandchildren, Benjamin Smith, Eric Reed,  April Osterhoudt Kuecker, Christine Osterhoudt, Daniel Smith,  Deborah Worden, Kara Smith, and 6 great-grandchildren, Cristian & Jade Worden,  Roselyn & Olivia Kuecker, Eden Savio, & Gunner Smith. She is also survived by her brother James (Joseph) Ring, Brother-in-Law Kenneth Henry, niece Karen Henry, nephew William Kane (& Linda Kane), & niece Barbara Antolick (& John Antolick), & her oldest and dearest friend, Margaret Olin. She was a devoted member of St. Mary’s Church, & the Rosary-Altar Society in Kirkwood, for most of her life.  Her faith in God & love for her family & friends were the most important aspects of her life.  She devoted her life to caring for her family! She was very proud of her Irish Heritage, loved Irish music & did a great Irish Jig!  She belonged to the Ancient Order of Hibernians & enjoyed walking in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade!   She bowled in a league, & loved to have family parties, go on chartered bus trips with friends & she was a great Pinochle player & really enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, too.  She also liked reading & trips to Your Home Public Library.  She loved attending church activities & dinners with her family & friends.  Her favorite story involved having dinner with Charles Lindbergh, & sitting in his plane, when she was a child in St. Joseph, PA, in November of 1927. She had a great sense of humor & she will be greatly missed by anyone who knew her!  We love you dearly, Mom, & thank you for your loving care!  We will miss you every day, & keep you close in our hearts, with our wonderful memories!  We thank everyone at Bridgewater Center in Binghamton, for their wonderful care of our Mother, over the last 6 years. The family will have private funeral services, arranged by the Thomas J. Shea Funeral Home, in Binghamton. Burial will be at the St. Joseph’s Church cemetery, in St. Joseph, PA, next to her husband, Donald Smith. Please make any donations in Mom’s name, to the local Catholic Charities Food Pantry.  

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