Mary Jean Smith

Mary Jean Smith, 95, of Stow MA, died on September 5, 2024, at her home in Stow. 

She was born on September 12, 1928, in Gladstone, MI, the daughter of James Thomas Fox and Jane LaVigne Fox. She married John Hazel Smith on August 19, 1951. 

Mary Jean was a graduate of the University of Illinois, worked as a high school teacher, a homemaker, a volunteer to organizations helping the blind, and the office manager of Spivack’s Antiques in Wellesley, MA. She assisted her husband, Professor John Smith of Brandeis University, with his research and in hosting literary figures and Department of English events in the family home in Newton Lower Falls, MA. 

Mary Jean supported many causes, and particularly loved recording reading tapes for the blind. An avid reader, she was always current with world affairs and maintained a deep love for literature, poetry, and non-fiction. She consumed The New Yorker and The Sunday New York Times every week. She was a loyal and devoted friend and a caring and generous mother and grandmother. 

Mary Jean is survived by two children, son David Smith of Waltham, MA and daughter Janet Smith of Rensselaer, NY; two grandchildren, Natalie Cross and Kylie Cannon; a sister Patricia Rennhack; and various nieces and nephews and their children.

Her husband John Hazel Smith, son Kevin Smith, her parents, and her two brothers, James Marion Fox and John Thomas Fox, preceded her in death.

Mary Jean will be buried in the urn garden at Newton Cemetery in Newton, Massachusetts. No public ceremony is planned. For those who wish to make a gift, the family suggests donating to any organization that assists the blind.