Mary Patricia Smith

Patricia "Pat" Henry Smith Born in Brooklyn, New York, on October 20, 1921; Died on February 18, 2013 Born the fifth of six children in a close, Irish Catholic family, Mary Patricia Henry spent her summers enjoying Coney Island with her father and siblings, and visiting her "Nana" Kelly's farm in Pine Bush, New York. Pat graduated from St. Brendan's High School in 1939, and later became a civilian worker for the United States Army in 1941, beginning a 15-year career which took her to Philadelphia, Naples, Trieste, and Okinawa, and for which she was awarded a Commendation for Meritorious Service for a Civilian in 1947. When in Okinawa, Pat was assigned to be the assistant to the head of the Logistical Support of the Troops, Edward Charles Smith, whom she later married on October 6, 1956. Pat settled into home-making and child-rearing in Ann Arbor, Michigan until 1975, when she began working for the Aprill Agency Insurance Company. Later, when she and Ed retired, they both became hospital volunteers, assisting in the NICU at an area hospital, and they studied Spanish together at Washtenaw Community College. Pat became a grandmother to Matthew Huffman in 1991, and took on the task whole-heartedly, frequently traveling from Michigan to Texas, until settling in Dallas with Ed in 1998. Pat cared for Ed until his death in 2005.

Mary Patricia had high expectations of her children, yet passed on a keen awareness of the needs of others, as well as her sharp wit and sense of humor. She welcomed friends and family into her home, and looked forward to each new day with a hopeful heart. Pat had many exciting stories about her travels and the interesting people whom she met along the way. She will be greatly missed.

Pat was preceded in death by her mother, Julia Winifred Kelly Henry; father, Patrick William Henry; sisters, Katherine and Dorothy; brothers Arthur, Donald, and Kevin; husband, Edward Charles Smith; daughter, Susan Marie; and nephew, Christopher. Pat is survived by daughter, Judy A. Huffman; son, Jeffrey Edward (Lydia); grandson, Matthew B. Huffman; great-grandson, Braden S. Huffman; nieces, Evelyn and Alice Henry, Mary Beth Henry Brown, Rosemary Bernice Smith (also Goddaughter), and Beverly Smith; nephews, Patrick, Thomas, and Donald Henry; and grandniece Meagan Henry.

Services will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church on Saturday, March 2, 2013; viewing at 9:00, Mass at 10:00, reception at 11:00. Burial will be at Restland Cemetery at noon, with an Irish "wake" at Trinity Hall Irish Pub immediately afterward.