FUNERAL LIVESTREAM/RECORDING
Sister Marie Smith, SNDdeN
November 13, 1941- April 1, 2025
“Let the little children come to me…”
Marie Smith was the fourth and youngest child born to Carl and Elizabeth Smith in Dayton, Ohio. Her older siblings included two brothers, Carl and Jim and a sister, Betty. Marie grew up on a small farm in West Newton, Ohio, but moved back to Dayton with her father after her mother died at an early age. She attended Julienne High School and graduated in 1960. Marie entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in September of 1960, making final vows in 1968.
Marie had a long career in education, first being missioned in 1965 to Immaculate Conception school in Dayton, teaching second grade. It was a large school with a supportive faculty and community in which to hone her skills. In 1973 she began what would turn out to be many years in administration, first as principal at St. Francis DeSales school in Lebanon, while also earning her Master’s degree in Educational Administration at Ohio State University. Then she was missioned back to Immaculate Conception school before continuing on to Corryville Catholic School in Cincinnati, where she spent the next 30 years of her life, also serving as principal. She excelled at meeting the challenges of an inner city school and working with the diverse needs of the children in her care. She oversaw a number of significant renovations to the school, as well as programs to enhance the children’s learning environment. One of these was “Choices for Children” which helped to prepare eighth graders for a successful high school experience.
When asked what she was most proud of in her long tenure, Marie responded, “…the family spirit of the school, the fact that there is ownership of the mission, and that everyone - faculty, staff, students, parents, and board are all involved and engaged.”
At her retirement Marie was inducted as the first member of the Corryville Hall of Fame. Also, the Sister Marie Smith Scholarship Fund was created to award a scholarship annually to an eighth grader who planned to attend a Catholic High School.
Not one to let grass grow under her feet, in 2014 Marie became the Director of the Spirituality Center at Mt. Notre Dame. There she led efforts to spread and encourage growth in spirituality, especially among lay colleagues, many of whom appreciated the opportunity for spiritual enrichment. Marie retired from this position in 2020.
Throughout her life Marie was involved in and supported various SND ministries and outreach programs, such as Venice on Vine, the Vocation Committee, including mentoring women interested in religious life, and the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center, to mention just a few.
Some of Sister Marie’s friends shared these memories:
Many mentioned that as a teacher and principal she had a heart for the children in her care, displaying a sense of wonder, playfulness and gratitude. She encouraged them and praised their accomplishments. At the end of the school day she always stood at the exit door to say good-bye to the departing children.
She was a great companion to everyone and very supportive of her teachers, many of whom came to Marie with their difficulties, whether professional or personal.
Although Marie was quiet, she had a great sense of humor. Having grown up on a small farm, she inherited a love of nature and gardening and animals and the outdoors.
One of her nieces recalled that Marie loved to play cards, especially to win! Once she and some other children were playing cards with her, and Marie was not happy because she was losing. Marie told the children that they should let her win because she was a nun. Not surprisingly, that made no difference to the children!
Another friend noted that Marie valued the quiet interior spirit and was a very gentle, prayerful woman - a thread interwoven throughout her life.
Marie died quietly and gently in the evening of April 1, 2025.
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
Sister Colette Didier, SNDdeN
April 12, 2025