Mary Welles Smith

MARY WELLES MOOERS SMITH,

Age 91 years, passed away Thursday, evening, July 30, 2015, at home on West Clinton Street in Elmira, New York. Mary Welles was predeceased by her parents, Edward Allen and Nellie (Welles) Mooers; and by her husband, Kirwin T. Smith, Jr. She is survived by her sister, Nelson van den Blink; children, Allen Smith, Ross Smith, and Robin Moulton with their spouses; and many grandchildren; great-grandchildren; cousins; nieces and nephews. Of fiercely independent and resilient spirit, Mary Welles was proud of the fact that she had outlived in years all of her forebears. She truly enjoyed her many friends at home and around the world. During World War II, Mary Welles worked as a member of the Women's Ambulance Corps. She volunteered to meet trains at the Erie Station and spent time with the soldiers, playing cards, doing puzzles, and offering coffee and donuts. Mary Welles was a graduate of Elmira College, class of 1948. She was active in the Junior League. As a member of The Park Church, Mary Welles served as volunteer archivist and worked diligently on the history of the Beecher family and their experience at the church. She enjoyed her close friends in the Wednesday Morning Club and Athenaeum Club. Mary Welles' greatest passion was for the libraries of Chemung County. One of the longest serving board members of the Friends of the Steele Memorial Library, for her, the annual book sale was a most exciting event. Mary Welles served as a Director of the Hilliard Corporation from 1983-1996, and continued to act as a member of the Project Committee of the Hilliard Foundation. FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE INVITED TO A MEMORIAL SERVICE AT THE PARK CHURCH, FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2015, AT 11:00AM. REV. FELICITY WRIGHT OFFICIATING. PRIVATE INTERMENT OF MARY WELLES' ASHES WILL BE HELD IN MAPLE GROVE CEMETERY, HORSEHEADS, NY, AT THE CONVENIENCE OF THE FAMILY. Contributions in memory of Mary Welles Smith may be made to the Friends of the Chemung County Library District (CCLD).www.bakerfamilyfuneralhome.com