Mary Ellen B. McSweeney Smith, 64, of Manalapan, passed away Feb. 22, 2017, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., she moved with her family to Manalapan in 1985.
Mary Ellen was a registered nurse in Labor and Delivery/Mother Baby for 40 years, ending her career at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, where she had worked since 1990.
She enjoyed traveling with her husband to Ireland, cruises to the Caribbean and weekend getaways to Cape May.
Mary Ellen was the center of her family and extended family; caring for, teaching and instilling in them her morals and sense of family unity. To her children, she was more than a mother, but also their best friend.
Mary Ellen is survived by her beloved husband of 43 years, Dennis B. Smith, of Manalapan; loving children, Erin Anne Smith and her husband, Jim Lam, of Jersey City, Bridget Jean Bannon and her wife, Kristina, of Ocean, and Patrick Francis Smith and his wife, Aleksandra, of Freehold; adored grandchildren, Abigail Sarah, Jane Ellen and Oliver Smith; brother, John Terrance McSweeney; and sister, Margaret Ann McGrace.
Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township, on Tuesday, Feb. 28, from 5-9 p.m. and Wednesday, March 1 from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., with words of remembrance to follow at 8 p.m.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Thursday, March 2, at 10 a.m. for the procession to her 11:15 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 186 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mary Ellen’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com