Mary Smith

Mary Archibald Smith was born September 22, 1919 in Dysart, Fife, Scotland & died June 11, 2015 in Stillwater, OK. She was the 6th of seven children born to John & Elizabeth Clark, having four sisters (Magdalene Dalene, Elizabeth Betty, Isabella Billie & Elspeth Jean Ethan) and 2 brothers (John & Haig). Mary had fond memories of growing up in Scotland & spending summers by the sea at her aunt & uncles home in Kirkcaldy. When World War II broke out, she enlisted in the WAAF (Womens Auxiliary Air Force), serving the war effort processing reconnaissance photos as part of British intelligence operations. After the war, Mary earned her Cosmetology license & worked as a hair stylist in Kirkcaldy, but enjoyed weekly train trips to Edinburgh where shed savor her eldest sisters cooking, take in the cinema & learn to play golf at St. Andrews.
But when her sister Billie moved to California, it wasnt long before Mary followed, arriving in San Francisco in July of 1961. Soon after, she met Donald Ralph Smith at a dance in Sacramento & their relationship grew. They married on July 4, 1965 in Carson City, Nevada with Mary becoming stepmother to Dons three children Jana Catherine, Mia Elizabeth & James Curtis Smith. Mary was a delightful stepmother & Dons guiding light bringing much fun & joy with her Scottish wit to her new family. Except for a brief time living in Florida & Iowa, Mary & Don spent their married life in California, living in Sacramento, Tustin, Salinas & Lake Tahoe; eventually retiring to Citrus Heights. Mary loved people & animals, and made friends easily wherever she went. She truly saw the bright side of life and she & Don were happily married for nearly 25 years until his death in 1990. They enjoyed traveling, playing golf, bowling & swimming in addition to spending time with their children & grandchildren.
In 2010, Mary came to live in Stillwater & resided at Golden Oaks Village where she was very happy & able to enjoy weekly visits with family. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Don Smith, her parents & all of her siblings but one her much-loved youngest sister Ethan Ramsay of Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, England. She is survived by her three stepchildren Jana Hussain (Manzoor) of West Windsor, NJ; Mia Owens (Keith) of Stillwater, OK; and James Farrell-Smith (Beverly) of Valencia, CA along with 9 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews throughout the U.S., United Kingdom, Canada & the United Arab Emirates.
The family is extremely grateful to the caring staff of Golden Oaks Village, Stillwater Memorial Hospital, Dr. Terry Brown, Central Drug & Dr. David Cockrell for their kindness to our beloved Mary she was OUR Queen of Scots. A celebration of Marys life will be held at a later date.