Heaven gained another angel, Mary Ellen Smith, formerly of Port Matilda, passed away peacefully, on Sunday, December 17, 2017. She was born in Westover, Pa., on August 11, 1925, the daughter of the late Stanley and Mary Lohman McKee. Mary Ellen is survived by her husband of 73 years, Derrill Smith.
She worked at Warnock Dining Hall at Penn State University, while she and her husband were putting all of their children through college. She was so proud that they all graduated from college. She was a great cook and was especially known for her homemade buns and pies which she always shared.
She will be remembered by all as a loving, caring wife, mother, grandmother and friend.
Along with her husband, Mary Ellen is also survived by her sons, Robert (Patty) Smith of Altoona, William (Rachel) Smith of Port Matilda, Donald (Essie) Smith of Bellefonte, and her daughters, Susan (George) Papaioannou of Merrick, NY, Karen (David) Fisher of Bellefonte, Joyce (Dennis) Loesch of Julian, her daughter-in-law, Janet Smith, her 5 sister-in-laws; her 14 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was the last of her family. Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her son, Dr. Barry D. Smith,5 brothers and 1 sister.
The family would like to express their gratitude for all the employees at Windy Hill Presbyterian Nursing Home. The staff, too numerous to name, were so caring and her nurses and caregivers took such good care of her. They became her second family and we will always be thankful for that.
Services and burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made in Mary Ellen Smith's memory to Windy Hill Village Presbyterian Senior Living, 100 Dogwood Drive, Philipsburg, PA 16866 Attention: Employee giving-caring community fund for employees.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dean K. Wetzler Funeral Home, 201 Spring Street, Milesburg, PA 16853. Online condolences may be made at
www.deankwetzlerfuneralhome.com.