Mary Anne Evans Smith, lived a full life

Mary Anne Evans Smith, of Vero Beach, Fla., passed away quietly Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. Her remarkable presence will be acutely absent for her family, her friends, and all those who benefited from her kind heart and generous being.

She was born July 20, 1932, in Trooper, Pa., to Robert and Effie Evans. She is predeceased by her husbands, John H. Guender, and Thomas R. McGovern; stepmother, Doris S. Evans; sister, Helen E. Dallmar; and brother, Robert B. Evans.

Left to cherish her memories are her husband, Carson B. Smith; sister-in-law, Louise Ellis; her four children, Martha A. Dalton (Frank), David E. Guender (Aimee), Elizabeth G. Neff (Keith) and Gretchen M. Dickinson (Marty); her two grandchildren, Sarah E. Neff and John H. Neff (Kim); three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Mary Anne was a graduate of Norristown Pennsylvania High School and University of Maryland (1953). At Maryland and beyond, she was an active and loyal part of her Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, making everlasting friends. While raising four children in Berwyn, Pa., and Rehoboth Beach, Mary Anne taught home economics at Garnet Valley High School in Glen Mills, Pa. After years of teaching, she worked for the 4-H/ USDA in Trenton, N.J., and then New Jersey Department of Agriculture, where she played an integral part in the branding of the Jersey Fresh Campaign and logo.

Mary Anne’s summers and beyond were spent in Rehoboth Beach by the water, where a favorite pastime was eating crabs and corn with family, and socializing at the Rehoboth Beach Country Club, where endless friendships were built and treasured. She also cherished her worship and prayer at All Saints’ Episcopal Church.

Mary Anne loved tennis and played up until her 80s winning numerous awards. She enjoyed a health-conscious quality of life, being a vegetarian since the 1960s, and believing that exercise and eating nutritiously were the key to good health and longevity. She too enjoyed cooking and toured the globe attending cooking schools, including Culinary Le Cordon Bleu Paris. She loved Julia Childs, researching her life and enjoying her recipes and techniques. She was strong in her Christian faith and was a firm believer in the power of positive thinking.

Upon retirement, Mary Anne traveled near and abroad and settled in Key Largo, Fla., at the Ocean Reef Club, where she had many friends and a full day every day of playing tennis and golf. She could be found driving her golf cart, uniquely painted with a garlic bulb on the side. She loved volunteering at the cooking school, where many famous chefs from all over would come and demonstrate. She loved to entertain and cook for friends and family often. Her teachings of cooking and recipes were shared with all four of her children who also grew to love the art of cooking.

Mary Anne was loved by so many and will be dearly missed by all who knew her. As we say our goodbyes to Mary Anne, we celebrate a life truly well-lived, and a spirit that will eternally guide and inspire her loved ones. The family would like to thank the staff at The Brennity in Vero Beach, Fla., for caring for Mom, and for all their kindness. In addition, there are not enough words or gratitude to thank caregiver, Edna Robinson, who is a true angel caring for Mary Anne for over five years. Many thanks as well to the VNA/hospice who were right there with us every step of the way.

For those who might be so moved, consider a contribution in Mary Anne’s name to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, curealz.org/giving/donate, 100% of donations go to Alzheimer's research.

A family celebration of Life will be held privately at a later date.

Arrangements by Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Vero Beach, Fla.

Sign Mary Anne’s online guestbook at strunkfuneralhome.com.