Mary Frances Smalley, 88

Mary Frances Smalley passed away on Sunday, January 15, 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Elmo, her parents Arthur Emrys and Margaret Jenkins Parry, her sister Roselyn, her brother George, and her sister-in-spirit Janet Risner. Mary was born on August 5, 1928 in her family’s home on Fifth Street in West Portsmouth. She lived her entire life in several homes on Fifth Street, which was anchored by her school and her church, the EUB Church which became Nauvoo United Methodist Church.

Music played a vital role in Mary’s life. She began taking piano lessons at the Portsmouth Conservatory of Music when she was six years old. At age thirteen, she became the drummer in her school’s band. After graduating from Washington Local High School in 1946, Mary served as the accompanist for the West High School chorus for thirteen years. She was the organist at her home church for 70 years and at First Lutheran Church for 27 years. She also played for Daehler Funeral Home as well as many weddings throughout the community. A member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers, she established her own piano studio in her home and taught and mentored countless students for more than sixty years. In recognition of her lifelong career in music, the Portsmouth Area Arts Council named Mary an Outstanding Arts Educator in 2013.

Mary loved history, reading, and traveling. When she was young, she traveled extensively with her family throughout the United States. Later Mary and her husband Elmo traveled to Canada, Mexico, and Europe, and she especially enjoyed sharing stories of their time in Poland. For several years, Elmo and Mary rode the train to Washington, D.C., where Elmo participated in school board meetings while Mary toured the sites with their grandchildren.

Mary took pride in her involvement with the community.  She served on the board of the directors of the Community Concert Association, the Nauvoo Methodist Church board, and the Scioto County Mental Health Board. She was a member of Portsmouth Sister City, Boneyfiddle Arts Club, Raven Rock Garden Club, the PTA, Bible School, the Girl Scouts, and band boosters. In 2008, she and Elmo received the Joined Hearts in Giving award from the governor in recognition of their community service.

Mary and Elmo were high school sweethearts and shared an iconic love that was an inspiration to her family. Mary lived a life full of love and will be greatly missed. She is survived by her daughters Peggy Ruggiero and Jane Boyer, her sons-in-law Dan Ruggiero and Doug Boyer, her grandchildren, Daniel Ruggiero, Susan Salyer, John Ruggiero, Bill Boyer, and Ed Boyer, and her great-grandchildren, Jacob, Sammi, Dara, Emmett, and Simon.

A memorial service of her life and love will take place on Saturday, January 21, at Nauvoo United Methodist Church, 1403 Fifth Street, West Portsmouth with Pastor Pete Shaffer presiding.  A musical recital will begin at 12:30 PM, and the service will begin at 1:00 PM with interment in Rushtown Cemetery. Services are under the direction of the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth.

Memorial contributions can be made in Mary's honor to the Mary Smalley Scholarship Fund c/o Nauvoo United Methodist Church, 1403 Fifth Street, West Portsmouth, Oh, 45663, or to the Mary Smalley Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o The Scioto Foundation, 303 Chillicothe Street, Portsmouth, OH, 45662.

Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com

 Service Information