Mary L. Smith, 59, of Cedar Rapids, died Tuesday May 3, 2016 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics following a short illness. Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 7, 2016 at St. Jude Catholic Church by the Rev. Mark Reasoner. Burial: St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. A Vigil Service will be held 3 p.m. Friday at St.  Jude Catholic Church where friends may visit until 7 p.m. Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids is serving the family.

Mary was born January 2, 1957 in, Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Lloyd Lee and Rose Marie (Cronin) Sylvester. Mary met her husband of 34 years in high school and was united in marriage to Sterling Smith on April 24, 1982 in Cedar Rapids. She worked as a Software Engineer at Rockwell Collins for 29 years. Mary was a mentor for Introduce a Girl to Engineering. She was a former Girl Scout and later became a scout leader for her boys. Mary loved volunteering and was actively involved in America Reads and Shopping for the Homeless. She was an active member of St. Jude's Parish for many years. She enjoyed crafting and craft shows, mushroom hunting, and fishing. Above all she loved spending time with her family. Mary always had a smile on her face and brought joy to everyone.

Mary is survived by her husband Sterling and children Matt (Meg) and Adam (Emily); her father Lloyd; sisters Laura (Dave) Koering, Joan Sylvester, Colleen (Mark) Kurtz, Julie (Jay) DeLancey, Janice (Mark) Brady, and Karen (Isaac) Malone; brother Dennis Sylvester; brother-in-law Randy Faulkner; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother Rose and her sister Cathy Faulkner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to American Heart Association or to the family.