Mary D. Smiley

Mary D. Smiley, of Savanna, IL, passed away Thursday, November 9th, at Big Meadows Nursing Home in Savanna. A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 15, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savanna. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service, in Antl Hall. Burial will take place in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery.

Mary was born on October 28, 1932, daughter of James and Mary (Darr) Rogers. She grew up in Savanna and attended St. John’s Catholic School. Mary graduated from Savanna High School with the class of 1949. After high school, Mary worked for the Savanna Army Depot. During this time, Mary struck up a pen pal relationship with the love of her life, and future husband, Paul Smiley, while he was serving in Korea. When Paul returned home, they dated for a short time, before marrying on November 14, 1953. Together, Mary and Paul raised four children, and celebrated 53 years of marriage until Paul’s passing in 2007.

After they were married, Mary and Paul moved to Chicago, but only for a short time. They would soon return to the town they loved to call home. They bought “Smiley’s Fish Market” and would own and operate it for the next 47 years. Mary was a lifelong member of St. John’s Catholic Church, and was active, helping with funeral luncheons, collecting tithes, and running BINGO nights. Her four kids, and her husband, kept her busy, but when she had time, she loved to play cards with friends. Her favorite chores were always yard work; raking, mowing, and tending to her flowers. She took a lot of pride in having a clean and managed lawn.

Mary’s family loved to spend time on the Mississippi River, even though she was a little afraid of the water. She and Paul would take the kids up the river to their cabin on the banks of the River for a week or two at a time. To their mother’s dismay, the kids would spend time playing in the river, while she busied herself with cleaning and tidying. She would have sent them out with three life jackets each if she could.

Mary and Paul had a marriage grounded in their deep love for each other. They enjoyed each other’s company, dancing, roller skating, going to the dog track, and taking unplanned vacations later in life. Mary was a proud mother and grandmother. She was adored by her grandchildren and was lovingly referred to as “Pocket Granny”. She kept everything that her kids and grandkids did, old drawings, ribbons, newspaper clippings, sports awards, etc. She was always the person behind the camera and loved taking pictures. Those who were close to her knew that she could be very funny. Mary’s favorite saying, in response to anything, was “I’m not ready”. This Thursday Mary met her Lord and Savior, and she was ready. Her caring heart lives on in those she loved most.

Mary will be dearly missed by her children, Paul (Monica) Smiley of Savanna, Laurie (Mike Bundy) Smiley of Savanna, and Beth (John Derrickson) Phillips of Savanna; eight grandchildren, Sarah Ritchie of Fulton, IL, Samantha (Jeremy) Hughes of Savanna, Matthew Ritchie of Savanna, Jacob Smiley of San Diego, CA, Kevin Smiley of Red Feather, CO, Morgan Smiley of Savanna, Mary (Preston Yenney) Rannow of Savanna, and Dylan Derrickson of Savanna; six great-grandchildren; one brother, Jim Rogers of Phoenix, AZ; and a special niece, Cheri Zerke of Graettinger, IA. Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Paul; her daughter, Susan Ritchie; her sisters, Betty McDade, Pat Waidleich, and Shiela Ferris; and her brother, Bernard “Bean-O” Rogers.