Marie Grace Smith

Marie G. Smith, 86, of Mount Pleasant, wife to George B. Smith (died March 7, 2020), entered eternal rest on November 20, 2023. And, with her passing, the world lost one of its largest hearts. She loved her family, her church, and her country.

Marie was born on August 3, 1937, in Greenwich, Connecticut. She grew up with her parents, Christina and Joseph MarkAnthony, and sister, Ann Pavoncello, and brother, Joseph MarkAnthony, in Greenwich, Connecticut. She worked in banking as a teller and later became the assistant tax collector for the town of Darien, Connecticut. In her best years, she had a very dry and sarcastic wit, and was well suited to the professional work she did. She did not go to college and was never trained in math, but was born with the ability to add, subtract, divide and multiply large sums in her head – with no training in accounting, she was fastidious about and excellent at balancing large budgets to the penny. She loved a “clean sheet.”

Above all, she loved her family. She welcomed each addition to it, was a mother to all, and created many memories in her kitchen. Everyone in her family knows her butter cookies, Easter bread, meatballs, and chicken soup. And those foods take us all straight to thoughts of her. Her generosity and goodness manifested in many ways. And her gene for those traits has been passed on, visibly, to many in the family tree.

Marie was most proud of her 57-year marriage to George and their three children – Gigi (Frank), Chris (Jessica), and MaryBeth (Mark). She was a woman of very strong faith, attended church daily until she could not, and enjoyed singing in the choir at St. John’s in Darien, Connecticut. She was a great caregiver to her parents, George’s dad, and anyone in need. She was of Italian heritage and loved to cook for her family and friends. Everyone was always welcome to come to dinner. George would go fishing, lobstering, and clamming with the kids and his friends. Often heard when George returned from fishing or clamming form Marie, “What am I going to do with all of those?” She learned quickly how to make a million different recipes with what he caught. Every summer most dinners included grilled blue fish, steamed clams, stuffed clams, New England clam chowder, Manhattan clam chowder, clam pie, and so many other dishes.

Marie and George retired to Charleston, South Carolina in 1996, and enjoyed many trips to Canada, Europe, the islands, and many other places. They truly enjoyed their time traveling during retirement. They were dedicated to spending time with their grandchildren who provided so much joy to them (Ariel, Keely, Zoe, Rory, Bailey, Hugh, Nora, and Nick) ranging in ages from 18 to 28 years. They loved it when their grandchildren would visit and there were many cookouts and beach trips. Marie was aware and so happy to hear that Keely is engaged to Jake, Rory married Caitlin in November, Zoe has an amazing partner in William, Bailey is engaged to Kris, and Hugh has an amazing partner in Hunter. She was so proud of her children and grandchildren finding their own paths to personal and family life.

Marie had a rough last 6 years having suffered three strokes and being diagnosed with a brain tumor. She fought hard to be present to us all. The family is very grateful to the former Savannah Grace Nursing Home, Shem Creek Nursing and Rehabilitation, and Caris Hospice for the loving care they provided Marie and her family.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com.

In lieu of flowers if anyone wishes to donate in her memory, please donate to the MUSC Children’s Hospital: https://giving.musc.edu.

There will be a private memorial service.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation – James Island, Charleston, SC, 347 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412, (843) 614-8494.