Obituary of Mary Jane Smith

Mary Jane (Tudy) Smith, eighty-three passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 30, 2021, at her home with her loving family at her side. Mary Jane, born in Schenectady, was the daughter of the late Ethel and William Osterhout. Mary Jane lived her entire life in Schenectady, graduating from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1956. Mary was employed by the New York State Department of Tax and Finance until she became a wife and the mother of eight children. Mary Jane was not only a wonderful mother and wife, she was also a woman who cared about her community and her church. Mary Jane spent countless hours in service to others. Mary was a member of the Women’s Democratic Club and attained the title of President. She was a CSJ associate and a proud member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. She was active in the local Little League serving four terms as President of J.C. Little League Ladies Auxiliary, raising funds through the concession stand ensuring that the little league had the money needed to continue inspiring children to participate in the team building sport of baseball. Mary Jane’s love for her Faith and desire to help others led her to do remarkable things for her parish of St. Luke’s in Schenectady. Mary Jane volunteered at St Luke’s School, she was a lunch lady, a mom who did the field trips with the children and a big part of the CYO basketball program Mary Jane was a Eucharistic minister, a visitation minister, a reader at Mass, an RCIA instructor, a religious education teacher, and a member of the Rosary Society. MJ is best known for her work as the coordinator of the St. Luke’s Daily Bread Food Pantry, for more than 25 years Mary Jane nurtured and built upon the efforts of the people who volunteered to help feed the community. MJ genuinely loved people, she saw the face of God in each and every one of them. She leaves behind an inspired group of volunteers, willing to go the extra mile to help others, the second largest food pantry in Schenectady County, which is a vibrant and vital part of our community serving all who ask for help. Mary truly was the closest thing to an angel this side of heaven. She was a beautiful spirit and touched so many lives with her kindness. Mary Jane is survived by her husband of sixty-five years, William Smith, and their children; Colleen Gulli (John) NY, Kathleen Culpepper (Keith) GA, Billie Smith-NY, Joseph Smith (Jackie) NY and Timothy Smith (Terri) NY. She is also survived by fourteen grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews as well as her brothers Richard Osterhout (Jane) and James Osterhout (Christine)and our close family friends. Mary is pre-deceased by her parents, Ethel and William Osterhout, her siblings; William Osterhout, John Osterhout, Catherine Dobiesz, and her sons; Patrick Smith, William Smith, and Daniel Smith. Calling Hours will be held on January 4, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Daly Funeral Home, 242 McClellan Street, Schenectady N.Y. 12304. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Luke’s Roman Catholic Church, 1241 State Street, Schenectady N.Y. 12304 and interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 100 Kings Road, Schenectady, N.Y. 12304. The family would like to thank all the prayer warriors and friends for their support during this time. Memorial contributions in Mary Jane’s name may be made to: St. Luke’s Daily Bread Food Pantry, 1241 State Street, Schenectady N.Y. 12304, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.