Mary E. (Smith) Geswein, 94, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, April 14, 2022. Mary was a devout Catholic, who was a long-time member of St. John the Baptist and Holy Family Catholic Churches in Starlight and New Albany. Mary was a homemaker and retired from the West Clark Community School Corporation as a lunch coordinator for St. John the Baptist Elementary School in Starlight.
Many people in the community knew Mary as a skilled and talented seamstress. Her creations included hundreds of prom, bridesmaid, and wedding dresses; clothing of all styles and seasons; alterations to make a favorite outfit wearable; costumes; scarves; purses and bags; quilts; and stuffed bears. Her skills included embroidery and crocheting, and she took pride in sharing her sewing craft with others. People of all ages reaped the benefits of her expertise.
Gardening, especially flowers, was a passion and pastime for Mary, and she enjoyed sharing the fruits of her labor. Each autumn for many years, she helped make delicious apple butter for Stumler’s Orchard and Huber Orchard & Winery. For over 30 years, she continued this yearly event with her family, teaching them the fine art of making apple butter.
Mary was a servant leader who inspired and encouraged others to become involved and to make a difference. Her faith and family came first in every aspect of her life. She helped form the church funeral meal program, participated in many parish ministry groups, organized the entertainment at the Strawberry Festival for years, established the parish religious items gift shop, and did hospital ministry. While not a musician, she was instrumental in the music education of her children. Her guidance and support helped lead her family to form a music band, who provided entertainment for many years. She enthralled her family with fascinating stories of her life as a youth. Mary exemplified what it means to be a mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend.
Mary was born on November 9, 1927, in Clark County, Indiana, to Louis V. and Mary Bernadine (Koetter) Smith. She is preceded in death by her devoted husband of 73 years, Francis; her brothers, Callistus, Julius, Hugh, Robert, Louis E. “Bud”, Norman, and George Smith; and her sisters, Marcella “Sis” Miller, Edith Ems, Jean Jacobi, and Rita Austin.
She is survived by her children, Bob (Rosemary Barmore), Tony (Susie), Kathy (Darryl “Butch”) Wilt, Larry, Susie (Ron) Naville, Beverly (Darris) Knear, and Francine (Kevin) Gettelfinger. She dearly loved and was loved by her 18 grandchildren, Angie (Bill) Kaiser, Christy (Greg) Nash, Nick (Brittany) Geswein, David (Rebecca) Geswein, Brad (Virginia) Geswein, Laura (Tyler) Henshaw, Jeremy Wilt, Christopher (Stephanie) Wilt, Shalon (Patrick) Murphy, Gia (Chris) Ueding, Lisa (James) Zwissler, Chad (Ryan) Naville-Cook, Adam (Brittany) Naville, Katie and Michelle Knear, and Sarah, Lucas, and Annie Gettelfinger; and 32 great-grandchildren.
Her visitation will be Tuesday, April 26, from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions (3309 Ballard Lane, New Albany). The Funeral Mass will be at 12:00 Noon on April 27 at Holy Family Catholic Church (129 West Daisy Lane, New Albany, 47150), followed by burial at Holy Trinity Cemetery in New Albany.
Please pray for Ruth’s soul and for her family during this time.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon her.
May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.