Obituary
Mary Margaret Smith was born to Margaret White Smith and Robert Smith on February 24, 1952 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Her siblings include Robert Smith, Steve Smith, Cathy Godwin, Sarah Bates and Susan Mathison. She was married in Mount Pleasant, Iowa in 1969 to Ralph Bouillion and has two daughters, Lisa Bouillion Diaz and Anjeanette Bouillion. Anjie, Lisa and her husband, Ricardo, and two children, Lana and Benjamin, currently live in Urbana, IL.
Mary was a devoted mother to her daughters and served as an inspiring role model. After divorcing in 1976, she raised her children on her own, worked full time, and pursued her education. She got her associates degree at Des Moines Community College, bachelors at Simpson College, and then masters of social work from University of Iowa in 1985.
She loved and cared for others with every breath in her work and in her life. So many people were touched by her acts of gentleness and caring. She had the rare gift of a perceptive soul that was always tuned to the feelings of others. She was also capable of blazing strength and righteous anger in the face of injustice. In almost 40 years as a social worker she saved countless lives at an Iowa prison, South Central Juvenile Home in Indianola (IA), Grinnell Iowa Public Schools, and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics where she helped develop the eating disorder clinic. After 21 years, she retired from UIHC as a psychiatric social worker in 2012.
Throughout a life rift with trial, she believed in angels, a loving God, and the magic of life when light is shared with others. She found joy in music, gardening, animals, nature, and playing with children. Her spirit was one of a child delighting in the wonders of Gods creation and clinging to all that was pure in love, acceptance, joy, and beauty.
She was tragically lost on November 27, 2014 when her car was hit by a train. A special thanks to the rescue and medical staff in Dyersville, Dubuque and Iowa City for fighting so hard to save her, and for giving the gift of a last goodbye with her family before she was taken up into her Heavenly Father and Mothers arms. Her legacy of love and laughter will be carried on by all those who knew her. We will celebrate and remember her by living and loving as fiercely as she did.
Condolences and memorials to Mary can be sent to Journey Church, PO Box 5696, Coralville, IA 52241.
Mary was a devoted mother to her daughters and served as an inspiring role model. After divorcing in 1976, she raised her children on her own, worked full time, and pursued her education. She got her associates degree at Des Moines Community College, bachelors at Simpson College, and then masters of social work from University of Iowa in 1985.
She loved and cared for others with every breath in her work and in her life. So many people were touched by her acts of gentleness and caring. She had the rare gift of a perceptive soul that was always tuned to the feelings of others. She was also capable of blazing strength and righteous anger in the face of injustice. In almost 40 years as a social worker she saved countless lives at an Iowa prison, South Central Juvenile Home in Indianola (IA), Grinnell Iowa Public Schools, and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics where she helped develop the eating disorder clinic. After 21 years, she retired from UIHC as a psychiatric social worker in 2012.
Throughout a life rift with trial, she believed in angels, a loving God, and the magic of life when light is shared with others. She found joy in music, gardening, animals, nature, and playing with children. Her spirit was one of a child delighting in the wonders of Gods creation and clinging to all that was pure in love, acceptance, joy, and beauty.
She was tragically lost on November 27, 2014 when her car was hit by a train. A special thanks to the rescue and medical staff in Dyersville, Dubuque and Iowa City for fighting so hard to save her, and for giving the gift of a last goodbye with her family before she was taken up into her Heavenly Father and Mothers arms. Her legacy of love and laughter will be carried on by all those who knew her. We will celebrate and remember her by living and loving as fiercely as she did.
Condolences and memorials to Mary can be sent to Journey Church, PO Box 5696, Coralville, IA 52241.
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