Mary Elizabeth Smith, 55, died at Whidbey General Hospital on Nov. 3, 2005 following a lengthy illness. She was born in Oakland, Calif., on Sept. 29, 2005 to Oscar and Phyllis Irene (Norland) Gilbert. Mary was trapped in Yakima by the eruption of Mt. Saint Helens and began a long history of respiratory problems.

Mary was raised in El Sobrante, Calif. She graduated from Pinole High School in Pinole, Calif. She was married at age 16 and was mother to four children. She spent much of her life as a single mother to her children. Mary worked for a time as a bartender in Tacoma. She moved to California, where she was manager of a deli.

Mary returned to Washington and was introduced to David M. Smith. Mary and David were married in Oak Harbor on August 18, 1990 and Mary began a new life.

Mary grew up fast and furious. She got a lot of love out of life but her greatest love was her children. She never lacked the energy to have fun. Mary enjoyed playing cards, going on cruises, travel, trips to Reno and the California and the Oregon coast, crafts and collecting things.

Mary is survived by husband David at the family home, Oak Harbor; by her four children, William Lee Morris of Castro Valley, Calif., Geanine Irene Ortez of Everett, Danille Marie LaCross of Marysville, and Phillip James LaCross of Reno, Nevada; by one sister, Geanine Taylor of Concord, Calif.; and by ten grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, James L. Walker and Phillip J. Walker.

Funeral services for Mary E. Smith will be held at Burley Funeral Chapel, Saturday, Nov.r 5 at 5 p.m. with Linda Haddon as Celebrant. Visitation will be on Saturday from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.