Marilynne (Mary) Catherine (Tankersley) Smith (90), passed away peacefully on Sept. 24, 2025.

Mary was born on Dec. 13, 1934 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Benjamin &

Westlynne Tankersley.

She grew up in Oklahoma, Maryland and Texas. She attended college at Oklahoma College for Women (OCW) for 2 years and then Central State College. She was a natural athlete and loved playing numerous sports in high school and college. She especially enjoyed field hockey and softball in college. She met Dick (Richard I. Smith) at CSC. They married on May 27, 1957.

They moved to Palmdale, California and then to Pamona, California, where they both taught and Dick coached football.

In August of 1970, they moved the family to Priest River, Idaho where they built a house. She taught PE. & English and coached volleyball & track. They built a cabin at Glacier Park, where the spent the majority of their summers every year, they loved nature. For years after Dick’s passing, Mary lead hikes around the Priest River area. She enjoyed volunteering at the local museum, her church and the VFW. She was very generous. She stayed sharp by staying busy, making baskets and crafts with natural materials, gardening, baking, crossword puzzles and learning history. She absolutely loved the Seattle Mariners and her favorite, Ichiro Suzuki.

Mary was preceded by her loving husband, Dick (1999), and her brothers Charles and Jon. She is survived by her son Dan (Sallie), daughter Jeri Stone (Mel), grandchildren Chris Stone, Eric Stone, Kevin Stone, Scott Stone and Corinne Beeler; 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

We will gather to celebrate Mary’s life on Nov. 15, 2025 at 11:00 am at St.

Catherine’s church in Priest River, followed by a graveside service.