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Mary Kay Smith, 63, Springfield

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6). With prayer in her heart and a hand outreached to God, Mary Kay Smith passed away peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011 at the age of 63.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at St. John Vianney Church in Sherman, with Rev. Tom Donovan officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Springfield. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday at Staab Funeral Home in Springfield, with a prayer service at 4 p.m. Memorials: St. John’s Breadline, 430 N. 5th St., Springfield, Ill. 62702, or Animal Protective League 1001 Taintor Road, Springfield, Ill. 62702.
Mary Kay is survived by her husband, Jon K. Smith of Sherman; her daughter, Megan K. Smith of Sherman; two brothers, Gregory T. (Barbara L.) McCulley of Rochester and Terry G. (Mary) McCulley of Springfield and two sisters, Karen L. McCulley of Springfield and Kim (John) Ausmus of Sherman; her mother-in-law, Lucile M. Smith, three nieces, five nephews, three great-nieces, and three great-nephews.
Mary Kay was born on June 17, 1948, to George and Virginia McCulley in Springfield. She graduated from Feitshans High School in 1966 and went to Springfield Junior College and Brown’s Business College. After college, she was employed at Springfield’s Head Start, working with underprivileged kids, helping them prepare for kindergarten. After that, she worked for Franklin Life as the vice president’s medical secretary for 13 years. From there, she became owner/operator of Creative Calligraphy by Mary Kay (arts and crafts).
On May 10, 1975, she married her best friend, Jon K. Smith. They established their lives in Sherman and had a daughter, Megan, in 1983.
Mary Kay was a selfless person with a contagious laugh. Her presence brightened any room she entered. She was a member of St. John Vianney Parish in Sherman. She volunteered for the USO and she was Miss USO in 1970. She volunteered for Senior Services, and she sang and played the organ at St. Patrick’s Parish. She was a member of the Sangamon County Farm Bureau and the Muscular Sclerosis Society. She received a Silver Cross Award in piano and voice, and even graced some of the local television shows with her beautiful singing.   
Mary Kay was an avid reader. She enjoyed all sports, but she especially loved Illini basketball and football and Bears football. She loved to garden, loved nature and wildlife. Her heart was always open for cats, but she had a huge heart for all animals.
Mary Kay was kind and compassionate. She was easy to talk to and loved to be surrounded by family. She was so loved and will be so dearly missed.
Mary Kay was preceded in death by her parents, George and Virginia McCulley and her father-in-law, Eldon “Curly” Smith.

 

Mary Kay Smith

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