Obituary of Theresa E. Smith
Theresa Eileen Smith of Point Pleasant went to the Lord peacefully at home on November 1st, 2018. She was 90 years of age, but would be thrilled to know she looked much younger.
Theresa was born in the Vailsburg neighborhood of Newark, NJ on May 15th, 1928. She was the youngest daughter of Michael and Catherine McGrath. She attended Sacred Heart Academy in Newark and worked at Grunnings Ice Cream and Bell Telephone before moving with her family to the Jersey shore in the 1950s. Theresa married Edward Earl Smith of Point Peasant Beach in 1955.
Theresa had a lot of personality in her beautiful 5’1” frame, a large laugh and a twinkling smile in her Irish eyes. She was known for her laughter, sense of humor, love of animals and devotion to her children and to her Catholic faith. She was a nurturing soul who would hug, kiss and sing her children to sleep at night. She had a strong work ethic and worked late into her life. She loved to dance and together with her husband could clear a dance floor. She was a skilled artist and calligrapher. Theresa was a wonderful cook and baker and spoiled her family (and their waistlines) for life with her amazing food.
She was involved with the Point Boro Boosters and was a fixture on the sidelines of her son Earl Smith’s football games during the 1977 & 1979 Championship seasons (to the delight of the crowd and chagrin of her teenage children.)
Theresa was a member of the Rosarians of The Church of Saint Martha, Point Pleasant, and of the Secular Franciscan Order at Saint Peter R.C. Church, Point Pleasant Beach.
Theresa was preceded in death by her husband Edward, son Mark and four siblings Michael “Buddy” McGrath, Margaret McCrone, Irene Knapp and Mary Hanley. She leaves behind her sons Brian Carey Smith and Earl Michael Smith and her daughter, Eileen Mary Anglin. Her granddaughter Jessica Ann Smith, great granddaughter Jamie Crystal and great grandson Mark Edward Beaton and son-in-law Brett Anglin as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
For those who would like to honor Theresa, beloved mother and friend, a Funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m., Thursday, November 8, at The Church of Saint Martha, 3800 Herbertsville Road, Point Pleasant, followed by inurnment at Saint Catharine Cemetery, 1100 W. Chicago Blvd., Sea Girt.
From a song she would sing to her children often:
Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling,
It's you, it's you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow,
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow,
It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow,
Oh, Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so!