Mary Smith, 90

Marilynne Catherine "Mary" (Tankersley) Smith, 90, passed away peacefully Sept. 24, 2025.

Mary was born Dec. 13, 1934, in Oklahoma City, Okla., to Benjamin and Westlynne Tankersley. 

She grew up in Oklahoma, Maryland and Texas. She attended college at Oklahoma College for Women (OCW) for two years and then Central State College. She was a natural athlete and loved playing numerous sports in high school and college. She especially enjoyed field hockey and  softball in college. 

She met Richard I. "Dick" Smith at CSC. They married May 27, 1957. 

They moved to Palmdale, Calif., and then to Pamona, Calif., where they both taught and Dick coached football.

In August of 1970, they moved the family to Priest River, Idaho, where they built a house. She taught P.E. and English and coached volleyball and track. They built a cabin at Glacier Park, where the spent the majority of their summers every year, they loved nature. 

For years after Dick’s passing, Mary lead hikes around the Priest River area. She enjoyed volunteering at the local museum, her church and the VFW. She was very generous. She stayed sharp by staying busy, making baskets and crafts with natural materials, gardening, baking, crossword puzzles and learning history. She absolutely loved the Seattle Mariners and her favorite, Ichiro Suzuki.  

Mary was preceded by her loving husband, Dick, in 1999, and her brothers, Charles and Jon. She is survived by her son, Dan (Sallie), daughter Jeri Stone (Mel), grandchildren Chris Stone, Eric Stone, Kevin Stone, Scott Stone and Corinne Beeler; and 11 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. 

We will gather to celebrate Mary’s life Nov. 15, 2025, at 11 a.m. at St. Catherine’s church in Priest River, followed by a graveside service.