Smith, Mary E. (1933-2008)

SMITH, REA, MCCOY, TANNER

Posted By: Colleen Ossman (email)
Date: 7/5/2008 at 15:51:08

(Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA, 2 Jul 2008)

Mary Helen Smith, 74, of Webster City, died Sunday, June 29, 2008 at Crestview Senior Living. A Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 3, 2008 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, with Rev. Scott Boone officiating. Visitation will be at the Foster Funeral and Cremation Center from 5-9 p.m. Wednesday and at the church after 8:30 a.m. Thursday. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, followed by a scripture service at 7 p.m.

Mary Helen Rea, daughter of Edward and Agatha McCoy Rea, was born October 4, 1933 at Boone, Iowa. She attended Sacred Heart School in Boone, graduating in 1951. On May 16, 1953, she married Billy D. Smith in Boone. Throughout her lifetime she taught dance in Boone, Clarion, Fort Dodge and Nevada and for over 25 years, she owned and operated Mary Helen's School of Dance in Webster City. After retiring from the Dance School, she and Billy moved to Des Moines for his job where she then was employed by HyVee Food Stores. In 1996 after Billy's retirement, they returned to Webster City where she was employed at Farm Journal in Webster City. Mr. Smith died April 19, 2001.

Mary Helen is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Curtis and Sharon Smith; Michael (Chubby) and Lanette Smith; Billy Todd and Lisa Smith; daughter and son-in-law, Luanne and Tom Tanner, all of Webster City; grandchildren, Jay and wife Jennifer Smith; Janae Smith; Cody Smith; Courtni Smith; Jennifer Smith; Sierra Smith; Jacob Smith and Jordan Tanner; along with several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Pat Rea.

She was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters, Dancemasters of America, Red Hat Ladies Red Diamonds Chapter, Webster City Community Theater, organist at Sacred Heart Church and St. Thomas Aquinas, Webster City Chamber of Commerce. Throughout the years, students from Mary Helen's Dance School have performed at many community functions and events throughout the area.