Mary Anne “Cookie” Smith, 70, passed away the morning of April 9, 2017, at her home in Nashville, Indiana.
She cherished her life as the devoted mother of Emily Austin, Ann Crozier and Kate Golt; the beloved grandmother of Molly Austin, Will Austin, Madeline Crozier, Adam Crozier, Emmett Smith, Skyler Busby and Nolan Smith; the dear great-grandmother of Steven Smith; the precious sister of Cathy Mangino (spouse of Carl Mangino) and Tom Wildermuth; the admired first cousin of Joe Russo; the treasured aunt of Maggie Rose and Michael Mangino; the adored niece of Frank Russo; the darling great-granddaughter of artist E.K. Williams; and an endearing neighbor and favorite friend to many.
Cookie was born in Mesa, Arizona, on July 8, 1946, to her parents, Rosemary Russo and Lubonir Shyshka. Lubonir died in a plane crash when Cookie was 3 weeks old. Her mother, Rosemary, remarried Joe Wildermuth. Her family once lived in Berlin, Germany, before coming to Alexandria, Virginia, where Cookie lived as a teenager and graduated high school from T.C. Williams High School in 1964. Cookie was then accepted to American University in Washington, D.C., but decided to become a mother instead. She married Roger Golt, who fathered her three children. After their divorce, she and her three children drove a Volkswagen bug across the U.S. to settle in Nashville, Indiana, in 1976. They first lived on Tuck A Way Ridge, then shortly moved to Artist Drive, where Cookie lived for the past 41 years. In Nashville, Cookie met the love of her life, Steve Smith, and they married on April 8, 1981. Steve passed away from a brain aneurysm in 1994, and was buried in Greenlawn Cemetery in Nashville.
Cookie did everything she could to build a loving, caring home for all who entered it. She was a hardworking mother, homemaker and parent. She supported her children by working at The Seasons as a cocktail waitress and front desk clerk, working for her uncle Frank at Hills O’ Brown Realty, and working at both the Brown County Folk Shop and Mrs. Cassiday’s Children’s Shop. Before he passed, she and Steve coached Emily and Kate’s softball team and she led their Girl Scout troop. Cookie always enjoyed watching the news, playing solitaire, reading, chatting, cooking — and eating! Cookie made the best strawberry pie her family ever had!
The bonds she fostered among friends and family are everlasting because these relationships meant everything to her. All those lucky enough to know her felt the grace, wit, love, acceptance and guidance that radiated from her peaceful, giving and nurturing spirit.
A celebration of her life will be Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14, at a time to be determined, where all may come and share in the lasting joy and fond memories Cookie brought to our lives.
Bond-Mitchell Funeral Home, 1682 State Rd. 135 North, Nashville, IN 47448 is entrusted with arrangements.
Online condolences may be made to the family at BondMitchellFuneral Home.com.
