Mary Helen (Bobrowski) Smith passed on peacefully November 21, 2025, at The Gill Odd Fellow Home in Ludlow, VT at the age of 103.

Mary was born in Bellows Falls, VT on February 1, 1922, to Walenty and Eva (Nizik) Bobrowski. She married Stanley (Staniszewski) Smith on January 19, 1946.

Mary is survived by her children, Mary (Tedric) Emerson Sr., and Edward (Laurel) Smith. Her grandchildren, Kate (Vince) Canini, Kerry (late Gary) Rainstrom, Tedric (Kristy) Emerson, Jr., Courtney (Justin) Reed, Dwight (Heather) Smith, and Cory (Melissa) Smith. Her great-grandchildren, Kayla Bibee, Nick (Molly) Rowland, Evan (Samantha) Mattison, Jennifer and Jonathan Cray, Olivia and Isabella Smith, Garrett and Addison Emerson. Her great-great-grandchildren, Liam, Remi, Ellie, Harper, Chase, Nora, Lisa, Lincoln, and Parker. Numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary is predeceased by her parents, her husband, her brothers, Joseph (Julia), Leo (Betty), Steven (Nalora) & Anthony Bobrowski, her sister, Laura (Will) Lawlor, her daughter, Patricia (David) Cray, grandchildren, Kimberly Emerson, and Jason Cray.

Mary proudly attended Bellows Falls High School class of 1940. Always telling us “The best years of your life are in school, and you don’t even know it!” Her Bellows Falls area employment was at Zeno’s Bakery, The Tannery, and New England Telephone and Telegraph, “Ma Bell”, as telephone operator and supervisor choosing an early retirement to care for husband.

She was a lifelong member of the Sacred Heart Church as her parents, along with other immigrant families, helped to build it after they arrived from Poland. Mary was involved as a member of the choir and the Ladies Altar Society. At the closing of Sacred Heart Church, she was graciously welcomed and enjoyed many years at The St. Charles Church where she received the Servant Heart Award recognition earlier this year for her many years as a good and faithful servant of the Catholic Church.

Embracing her second-generation Polish heritage, she was a member of The Polish American Club. She spent many hours at The Bellows Falls Senior Center, with the over 90 club luncheons, bone density exercises even into her 90s, filling in when the instructor was absent.

Mary fully enjoyed the family holidays, trips to Florida, her monthly Telephone Operator’s luncheons, her Hawaiian vacation (kissed by Do Ho) and would enjoy a trip to a casino. In her more homebound years, she greatly anticipated receiving her daily Meals on Wheels delivery and chatting with the volunteers-especially Janet Dube, visits from her family, and endless games of Solitare on her vintage computer. In her last year, she received exceptional care by the Trusted Choice Eldercare Team and later at The Gill Odd Fellow Home in Ludlow, VT where she involved herself in their activities and events.

She was absolutely, positively, blessed with good family and good friends and she left it “all in the hands of the man up above”. Period. That’s for sure!

Calling hours will be held at the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home on Friday, November 28 from 5:00-7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be at the St. Charles Church on Saturday, November 29 at 12:00 PM with internment at the Sacred Heart Cemetery following the Mass. Refreshments to follow at the St. Charles Social Center.

In lieu of flowers; donations can be made to the Greater Falls Senior Center in Bellows Falls, VT.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT.