Smith, Maureen Carol

Maureen Carol Smith (1933-2021)

Surrounded by family, Maureen Carol (Comerford) Smith peacefully left this world on November 10, 2021, at the Highlands Living Center in Pittsford, New York, after a long illness. She was 88.

Maureen was born March 11, 1933, in Buffalo, NY, the first of two children. She graduated from Kenmore High School in 1951 and earned her nursing degree from the Buffalo General Hospital School of Nursing. She met her future husband Kenny through mutual friends and were married July 31, 1954. Although Maureen was a registered nurse, she took on the career of a dedicated wife and mother, applying her nursing skills to sick and banged-up family members as needed. Daughter Sandy was born in Angola, Indiana, in July 1955 where Ken pursued a degree in Engineering at Tri-State College. Daughter Terry was born the following July in Buffalo, followed by son Scott in June 1961. The family settled in Fairport in 1965, just in time for son Gregory to be born in December.

Maureen was an active parishioner of St. John of Rochester Catholic Church, participating in numerous activities, serving as president of the Women’s Club, decorating the church for holidays, and counting the weekly collection. While her children attended St. John of Rochester School, she volunteered in fundraising activities, served as a Cub Scout den mother, and worked in the lunch room. She was especially devoted to St. Jude, patron saint of lost causes, seeking his intercession (even when the cause was not necessarily lost), and lighting candles to secure safe travel of family members and good grades on final exams.

Maureen loved animals (especially her dog Honey), her grandchildren, and took loving care of her mother (“Nana”) until her death in 1999. She was an attentive conversationalist who asked good questions and listened to the answers. Like her mother, Maureen was quick to break into song. Maureen’s high school year book aptly described her as “Mischievous, Cheerful, Lively.” Maureen enjoyed gardening, parades, concerts, league bowling, watching sports (from football to golf), following current events, and reading the daily newspaper (often cutting out articles to send to her kids). She is remembered for her unparalleled crabmeat macaroni salad, her preference for Southern Comfort manhattans (and later, white wine). She never forgot a loved one’s birthday.

Maureen is preceded in death by parents William J. Comerford and Lorena M. Comerford. She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, L. Kenneth (Ken) Smith of Fairport, NY, her sister Barbara Parker, of Poquoson, VA, cousins Donald (Arlene) Ferrick, Mary Ellen Bryant, James Baxter, and Robert Baxter, and numerous nephews and nieces. Her children are Sandra Smith, of Hampton, VA; Terry (Bob) Privitere of Coconut Creek, FL; Scott (Jackie) Smith, of Fairport, NY, Gregory (Beth Dodd) Smith, of Austin, TX, and grandchildren Robert Privitere, Michael Privitere, Katlyn Smith, Jamison Smith, Harrison Smith, and Julian Smith.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Alzheimer’s Association, or Lollypop Farm (the Humane Society of Greater Rochester).

Funeral Mass @ St John of Rochester, 8 Wickford Way, Fairport, NY, Wednesday November 17 at 11am. Live Stream link can be found at https://www.stjohnfairport.org/funeral-planning