Mary Irene O'Keefe Smith

Mary Irene (McConville) O'Keefe Smith, died peacefully on January 6, 2018 in Warren, Rhode Island at the age of 98. Her loving family and devoted friends and caregivers surrounded her. Born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on November 1, 1919 to the late Lucille and James McConville, Mary grew up in Attleboro, Massachusetts along with her four sisters: Lucille, Cecile, Fran, and Claire. After finishing high school, followed by studies at Bryant College, she worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for the M.S. Company (Attleboro, MA) where she met her first husband, George Oswald O'Keefe. While George was later stationed as an officer in Virginia, he and Mary celebrated the birth of their first son, Michael, before returning to their new home in Attleboro and the much-welcomed arrival of three more boys: Stephen, Dennis, and George. Tragedy struck early for the young O'Keefe family with George's unexpected death in 1948, which coincided with the birth of their fourth son, George Michael. Drawing from a deep well of strength and pragmatism, Mary carried on as a single mom learning to parent, manage a household, offer support for extended family, and even taking her first spin behind the wheel - "a case of have to", as she so often quipped. Mary did this with extraordinary ability, resilience, and an endless capacity for love that she continued to add to and share with so many throughout the rest of her years. Another chapter began with Mary's marriage in 1953 to her second husband, Leland "Lee" Baker Smith, of Attleboro. Their first child, Jonathan, arrived in 1954, followed by Mary Lee, Judy, and last, but not least, the twins, Karen and Christopher. Her "step son", Peirce Baker "PB" Smith, was also added to the family, along with his wife Elizabeth "Betty", and their children, Justin "Jud" and Lisa.Following the heartbreaking loss of her first son Michael in 1963, the passing of her second husband Lee in 1975, and then later the deaths of sons George and Steve, Mary continued to soldier on with wisdom, wit, and the grace of an open heart. Her "kids" grew up and her family blossomed with the addition of spouses, seventeen grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and countless others that she took under her wing. In her later years, Mary always made time for friends and enjoyed some newly discovered freedoms. She traveled, learned how to play tennis and golf, and tried her hand at needlework, crafts, and even some challenging new recipes. Her love for adventure was present in her desire to see new places and experience new connections. She was a dear friend to all, while investing her energy in many social connections and volunteer activities including: the Attleboro Public Library, Attleboro Garden Club, North Purchase Club, Sturdy Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and Attleboro YMCA. Her faith was strong, and she and her family filled a pew at St. John's Catholic Church for many years.We have been blessed to experience her deep wisdom, firecracker wit, and utter love and kindness for all. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, North Main Street, Attleboro, with Fr. Christopher M. Peschel, pastor, officiating. Private burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Attleboro. Visitation has been respectfully omitted.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mary's name may be made to the Friends of Attleboro Public Library, 74 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA 02703-2280, or www.aplfriends.org ; or to the Attleboro YMCA, 63 N. Main Street, Attleboro, MA, 02703, or www.attleboroymca.org.To send the family an expression of sympathy, please visit our online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com.Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, MA. (508) 695-0200.