Mary Alice Smith
Mary Alice Smith of Tuscola, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, May 31, 2026, at the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon, Illinois. She was 101½ years old.
Mary Alice Cederquist Smith was born on November 13, 1924 in St. John’s, Michigan, the daughter of Ralph Hartwick and Wadea Corey (Nafe) Cederquist. She was raised in St. Johns, MI and graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School in 1942. Following her high school education, Mary studied Retail Marketing for two years at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. On August 18, 1946 she married Bob Smith (Robert Russell Smith) in St. Johns. After Bob earned his doctorate from MSU in 1949, the family moved to Tuscola, Illinois where they established his initial veterinary practice on Northline Road, subsequently moving it to Washington Street. In 1951, Bob and Mary built a home on 707 E. Scott Street where they raised their family. They remained there until they moved to Brookstone Estates in 2018. Mary and Bob were married for 77 years until Bob’s death on March 11, 2023.
After raising their four daughters, Mary worked in both the clothing and the pharmaceutical businesses, including Carriage Lane in Urbana, The Tailored Lady in Arcola, as well as The Pharmacy in Tuscola.
Mary was well-known as an active and dedicated volunteer in support of the Tuscola community throughout her life. Mary supported her 4 girls volunteering as a Girl Scout and 4-H leader, assisted on weekends for Teen Town and The Wick at The Community Building. She was a long-term volunteer with the Jarman Hospital Auxiliary, the M.O.P.S. (Mothers of Preschool Children) after school reading classes and was an active contributor of the SAM Pantry (Social Assistance Ministry) and Peace Meals for Tuscola. Mary helped supervise at Beth’s Place (a safe haven for abused women), participated in various women’s community Bible studies and volunteered her time in other local committees throughout her membership in the Tuscola United Methodist Church. In addition, Mary shared her love of books and reading by serving for over 15 years as an active member of the Tuscola City Library Board.
Mary was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and had many dear friends in the Tuscola area. Surviving her are her daughters: Paula (Grover) Thomas of Jackson, MI, Holly Smith of Columbus, OH, and Laurie (Steve) Laley of Spring, TX. She had nine grandchildren: Craig Wiman, Kerri Wiman, John (Kate) Thomas, Heidi Thomas, Ashley (Ethan) Sudman, Katherine (Austin) Beemer, Michael (Sarah) Laley, Andrew (Erin) Laley and Patrick (Alyssa) Laley. She also had 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Ralph and Wadea Cederquist, her husband: Bob, daughter: Diane Wiman and son-in-law: James Wiman, brothers: Jack and David Cederquist and sister: June Whittaker.
Mary loved Bob, her family and books! She had a quiet spiritual relationship. Church and serving others was an important part of her life. She had a fashion flair in her clothing and in her home. She loved entertaining her friends and bridge club with white linens, china and silver. To her friends and those around her, Mary was easily recognized by her unusual laugh and her amazingly quick-witted humor to her last days.
A service celebrating Mary’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, July 13, 2026 at Tuscola United Methodist Church, 901 North Prairie Street, Tuscola, IL. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Tuscola Public Library.
Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be shared via hilligossshraderfh.com
