Mary Frances (Heckart) Smith

Mary Frances Smith

Affectionately known as “Foffy”, passed away peacefully with family beside her on Friday, September 18, 2020, in the Healthcare Center at Friendship Village of South Hills, Pittsburgh PA. She was born in Sunbury, PA on October 1, 1924, to Richard and Jean Heckart. She grew up in the Elderton, PA area, the second child of five. Mary Frances graduated in 1942 from Elderton High School, Elderton, PA where she met her eventual lifelong love, Byron Franklin Smith.

She studied at Lock Haven State Teacher’s College for two years during WWII and received her teaching certificate.  She taught physical education in Apollo PA for several years until she married Byron after he returned from military service in Europe.

Byron and Mary Frances were married on June 23, 1948, in Elderton, PA. They had a daughter and two sons and five grandchildren. They were blessed to be in their 70th year of marriage when Byron died in 2018. They lived 37 years in Bethel Park. For the last six years, Mary Frances has enjoyed life at Friendship Village.  Mary Frances' focus was a devotion to her family, her church and her community.  She was a Presbyterian Elder at First Presbyterian Church in Hollidaysburg PA, served as Elder and Clerk of Session at Bethel Presbyterian Church, worked in Stephen Ministry, served the community in the Meals on Wheels program at Bethel Presbyterian Church and served faithfully at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Mary Frances was preceded in death by three of her siblings. She is survived by her daughter, Lindsay Lessig (Paul) from Castle Valley, Utah; her son, Nathaniel Smith (Leslie) from Duncansville,PA; her son, Joel (Reverend Dr. Cathie Smith) from Bethel Park; and her five grandchildren, Taylor (Mikaela), Natalie,Benjamin, Jacob and Emily Smith; along with her only surviving sibling, Henry Heckart, of Denver, Colorado.  A small family outdoor service will be held on Friday, September 25, 2020, at 1 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Upper St. Clair, PA.  In lieu of flowers or gifts, please send donations on her behalf to South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM), 5301Park Ave, Bethel Park, PA, or to Meals on Wheels, c/o Bethel Presbyterian Church, 2999 Bethel Church Road, Bethel Park, PA 15102. Checks should be to Meals on Wheels, Bethel Park/St. Clair.

She will be deeply missed and she leaves a lasting legacy of faith, hope and love.

Arrangements handled by Paul Henney Cremation & Funeral Tributes, Bethel Park.

www.henneyfuneralhome.com

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