Marian Elizabeth (Peck) Smith Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Marian Elizabeth (Peck) Smith, 92, of Syracuse, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. She was born in Syracuse, NY to Oliver and Anna (Schimanski) Peck. Marian grew up on the Westside of Syracuse and graduated from Blodgett Vocational High School, where she made life-long friendships, enjoying monthly lunches with the “VO Girls” throughout her retirement. After marrying her “blue-eyed Bob,” they purchased a home on the Northside where they raised five children and lived for 63 years. Her children were her life’s joy, and nothing made her happier than to be surrounded by family. She reveled in hearing stories about her children, grandchildren, and great-grands. As her children advanced in school, she began a career at Blue Cross/Blue Shield first in data entry and later retiring as a systems analyst. She regularly impressed her grandchildren with her computer and technology know-how. Marian lived a life of service to others, volunteering at St. John the Baptist School, and at St. John the Baptist Church overseeing the Sunday nursery program and later serving as a volunteer with the food pantry. Upon her retirement, she helped individuals new to the U.S. learn English as an ESOL tutor through White Branch Library. A natural artist, Marian enjoyed rug hooking and crafting. Her creative skills were fully on display when it came to writing. She was a gifted writer up to her final days and had the story of her cancer journey published in the YMCA of Greater Syracuse’s cancer support book: “Hopeful, Grateful, Strong: Survivor Stories.” Marian volunteered at Francis House and was a member of the Francis House Auxiliary. She also enjoyed bowling and was a lifelong Syracuse Basketball fan. Marian was predeceased by her husband of 68 years Robert Smith. She is survived by her five children, Susan (John) Duerr of North Syracuse; Kathyrn (Ken) Lance of North Syracuse, Paul (Jayne Regan) Smith of Raleigh, NC, Janis (Joe) DeVore of Haymarket, VA, and Michael (Erin) Smith of Saratoga Springs, NY; ten grandchildren Adam (Tracy) Duerr, Megan (Dan) Stewart, Gretchen Duerr, Brett Lance, Rachel, Rebecca and Luke DeVore, Noah, Eli and Caleb Smith, and great-grandchildren Katelyn, Abigail and Patrick Duerr, and Daniel, Devon and Leah Stewart. She will be remembered always by her family as a loving, generous, and supportive mother, and grandmother. A funeral mass in celebration of Marian’s life will be held on Monday, June 20, 2022, at 10:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Church, 406 Park Street, Syracuse, NY, to be followed by a private entombment at Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Marian’s memory can be made to Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave, Syracuse, NY 13208 or Clear Path for Veterans at 1223 Salt Spring Road, Chittenango, NY 13037.

Marian Elizabeth (Peck) Smith

November 13, 1929 - June 15, 2022