Mary Ellen Smith

Mary Ellen Smith
April 17, 1928 – January 25, 2023

Mary Ellen Smith, age 94, of Palm Bay, Florida went to join her Lord and Savior in Heaven on Wednesday, January, 25, 2023.

Mary Ellen was the daughter of the late Edward and Loretta Keske. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 17, 1928. She moved to Florida in 1946. Then moved to Orlando in 1970 where she became a very active member of the community. She relocated to Palm Bay, Florida in 2021 to live closer to her daughter and son-in-law.

Mary Ellen received a Master of Public Health from the University of Central Florida in 1985. She was employed by the University of Central Florida in the Co-op office. Upon retirement, she served as a State of Florida District VII Long-Term Care Ombudsman. She had a deep devotion to our Lord and Savior and was very active in the Good Shepherd Church community, serving as an Extra Ordinary Minister of the Eucharist until she moved in 2021. She loved her Good Shepherd Church family and found great joy in the many activities she participated in there, especially those involving the Senior Moments Group. Her interests were many, painting and the arts, music, the beach, anything Irish and most of all her little dog, Friday. She was passionate about civil justice and voting rights, helping those in need and setting a good example for her children and grandchildren.

Mary Ellen was married to the love of her life, Clifford, for 55 years. They enjoyed traveling, music, great food and most of all their family.

Mary Ellen is preceded in death by her loving husband Clifford Charles Smith, her brother Jack Keske, her sister Rosemarie (Keske) Broderick, her son and daughter-in-law Jim and Ann Marie Smith, and her granddaughter Jessica Marie Smith. She is survived by her sister Lorie (Keske) Wilson, daughter, Judy Gizinski (Dan), granddaughter, Valerie Zollinger (Kevin), grandson, James C. Smith, five great grandchildren, one great great grandson and many nieces and nephews. Her greatest passion was her faith, her family and her friends.

Mary Ellen will be missed terribly by her family and friends, but will live on in their hearts and memories eternally.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 2 from 3:00 - 6:00 PM at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, East Orlando Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 3 at 11:00 AM at Good Shepherd Catholic Church is Orlando, FL.

Memorials can also be made to Boys Town in Boys Town Nebraska, as Mary Ellen believed every child deserves to be loved.