Mary Helen Smithson

Mary H. (Cole) Smithson Mary H. (Cole) Smithson, 70, passed peacefully in her sleep on the morning of May 19, 2015. She was born on March 4th, 1945, in Winchester, Indiana to Benjamin (Colie) and Louise Cole. She was salutatorian when she graduated from Winchester's Lee L. Driver High School in 1963, and went on to Ball State University. There she met the love of her life, Donald L. Smithson of Ridgeville, Indiana. They were married on August 24, 1964, and last year celebrated 50 years of marriage. Their life together took them across the country, living in Indiana, California, Iowa, and Tennessee before beginning their retirement at Robin Run retirement community in Indianapolis. After retirement, Mary suffered from Progressive Supranuclear Palsey, and Don was her full time caregiver. Mary enjoyed cooking, sewing, knitting, quilting, and was an avid reader. She and Don enjoyed traveling, often visiting the many friends they had across the country. In addition to Don, Mary is survived by two children, Tracy Smithson (Rob Nance) of Westerville, OH and Tony Smithson (Melaney) of Milton, WI. She also leaves five grandchildren, Dylan and Ian Nance, and Hannah, Eli, and Amelia Smithson. Mary is also survived by two sisters, Wilsie Thornburg (Howard) of Winchester, IN, and Esther Heltzel of Greenville, OH. Visitation will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 23 at MJS Mortuaries, 109 N Walnut Street, Ridgeville, IN. A brief service will follow immediately at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, with whose help Mary and Don were able to quit smoking nearly 30 years ago. Arrangements entrusted to Flanner and Buchanan-Washington Park North and MJS Mortuaries.