Mary A. Franco Smith, 95, of Brownsville, Pa., passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2004 in the Uniontown Hospital, Uniontown, Pa. She was born on October 11, 1908 in Revere, Fayette County, Pa., daughter of Francisco and Josephine PUGLIA FRANCO. Mrs. Smith was a lifelong member of The Historic Church of Saint Peter in Brownsville, Pa., and a member of Saint Peter's Confraternity of Christian Mothers. Mary graduated from Saint Peter's School and also Brownsville High School, and received a teaching degree from California Normal School (now California University of Pennsylvania). She taught in the Brownsville Area School District for 38 years. Mrs. Smith was a past Democratic Committeewoman in Brownsville and was active in politics for many years. She was a popular public speaker and was very proud of her "Flag Speech", which she presented to many veteran and civic groups. She was invited to present the speech to the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives in Harrisburg in the 1980s and to The West Virginia American Ex-Prisoners of War Convention in 1997. Mary was a great inspiration to her family, friends and many students throughout the years! Her Husband, Michael SMITH, a Son, John SMITH, four Sisters, Antoinette, Theresa, Della, Gina, one Brother, Larry Franks, and Parents preceded her in death. She is survived by three Sons: Michael SMITH and his wife, Annette, Brownsville, Pa., Francis SMITH and his wife, Jeanine, Smock, Pa., and Larry SMITH and his wife, Marcia, Greenville, South Carolina; seven Grandchildren: Theresa Battaglini and her husband Mark, Jennifer SMITH, Michael SMITH, Andria SMITH, Francis SMITH, Patrick SMITH, Christy SMITH; one Great Granddaughter, Lindsey Battaglini; Sister-in-Law, Annabel Franks, Brownsville, Pa.; Niece, JoAnn Arminas, of Uniontown, Pa.; Nephew, Larry Franks, II, of Brownsville, Pa.; close Family Friend, Alma Vechnak; also several great nieces and great nephews. Friends will be received in the SKIRPAN FUNERAL HOME, 135 Park Street, Brownsville, Pa., today from 2 to 9 p.m. where a Prayer Service will be held Saturday, February 7, at 9:30 a.m. A Funeral Mass follows at 10 a.m. in The Historic Church of Saint Peter in Brownsville, Pa., with Rev. Fr. Vincent Gigliotti as Celebrant. Interment will follow in Saint Peter's Roman Catholic Cemetery. Brownsville Sons of Italy Men's Lodge will conduct a Service in the Funeral Home today at 4 p.m. Saint Peter's Christian Mothers will recite the Rosary today at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in Mary's name to: Cooley's Anemia Foundation National Office, 129-09 26th Avenue, Suite 203, Flushing, NY 11354. Unrelated to me. Just sharing a resource. Edward DUNLEVY