Obituary of Marlene Smith

Marlene Altha Smith, 85, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at her home in the Town of Glen, NY with her loving family by her side. Marlene was born to the late Paul and Freda (Montanye) Bowdish in Charleston, NY on January 26, 1937, the first of seven children.  

Marlene was a graduate of Fonda-Fultonville Central School. On October 15, 1955 she was united in marriage to Leon Smith of Johnstown, NY. As a young mother of two children, Marlene was stricken with Polio, but she never once let it stop her or saw herself as having a disability. She enjoyed flying, with her husband as the pilot, as well as camping with her family, and square dancing double dates with her sister, Sylvia and her husband. She also loved trips to Disney World, even though her two oldest grandchildren once tricked her into riding on Space Mountain!  

A woman of great faith and community, Marlene was a very active member in the Glen Reformed Church, who often went by the nickname “Ma” to those she loved. She was a member of the GRC Ladies Group, helped with youth group, and assisted in organizing oyster suppers, pancake suppers, Brooks BBQs, sub sales, turkey dinners, and other fundraisers for the Church. Leon and Ma were known for making the best pancakes in the county. One of her favorite passages in the Bible was Psalm 23. 

In her community, Ma served as a 4-H baking leader, a member and past President of the Glen Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, and she babysat just about every youngster in the town of Glen throughout the 1980's and 90's. She organized 20 years of trips to Washington D.C. through the E.A.A., and loved to take her family on these trips. She loved to attend the Fonda Fair, tractor pulls, and hosting family reunions. Ma also loved being a farm wife, and her kitchen always smelled like fresh flowers cut from the garden, clean laundry from the clothesline, or brown sugar cookies hot out of the oven. 

Ma was predeceased by her loving parents and younger sisters, Sandy (Frank) Quill of Esperance, and Nancy (Larry) Keyfauver of Wyoming.  

Ma leaves behind her loving husband of 66 years, Leon of the Town of Glen; her children, Carolyn (John) Hart of Glen, and Charles Smith of Middleburgh; her siblings, Sylvia (Merrill) Wojick of Esperance, Floyd (Dorothy) Bowdish of Schenectady, George (Debbie) Bowdish of Schenectady, and John (Vicky) Bowdish of Esperance; her five beloved grandchildren, Michael, Jayme, Sonja, Warren, and Jonathan; as well as her eight great grandchildren. Ma was predeceased by her loving parents, Paul and Freda, and by her sisters, Sandy (Frank) Quill, and Nancy (Larry) Keyfauver. 

Ma's family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to her heavenly helpers, Tina Taylor and Jen Wilmont. 

Friends and family are invited, and may call on Sunday, May 15 at 1pm at the Glen Reformed Church, 1562 NY-161, Fultonville. A Service of Remembrance will follow the calling period at 2pm, with Pastor Tom Flander officiating. All are invited to join for a time of fellowship in Church after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ma’s memory to the Parkinson’s Foundation at parkinson.org, or by mail at 1359 Broadway Suite 1509 New York NY 10018 or to The Glen Reformed Church, P.O. Box 227 Fultonville, NY 12072.