Mary A. Smith

Mary Alice Smith (Davidson), 68, of Wausau, passed away Monday, May 29th, 2023 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. She was a beloved mother and friend to many. Mary is survived by her husband of 47 years, Donald; children Jessica and Jeremy (Melissa); and grandchildren Tanner, Cooper and Graham. She is preceded in death by her parents, Leone and Leslie Davidson, and brother, Gary.

Affectionately known as "Mary-Dee", Mary was born on December 2, 1954 in Madison. She graduated from Sun Prairie High School in 1973. She earned her LPN license from Madison Area Technical College (MATC) in 1974 and shortly thereafter started working at the Madison VA Hospital. Don and Mary met at a party on her 18th birthday off-campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. They married in 1975 and together raised their two kids in Madison until a move to Wausau in 1988 when Don took a new job.

Mary was a "Jill" of many things throughout her life: nurse, insurance claims adjuster, school playground supervisor, Girl Scout leader, receptionist and floral designer. She was incredibly talented in arts, crafts, baking and cooking. Mary had a love and passion for nature with flowers and gardening...and enjoyed digging up flowers out of country ditches for her own gardens. She loved spending time and sharing her knowledge and talents with her kids and grandkids.

A celebration of life for Mary is planned for early August. Details will be shared with family and friends at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children's Hospital or National Brittany Rescue & Adoption Network (NBRAN). Both charities were very close to Mary's heart.