WATERTOWN, NY —Â Mary L. Clemo Smith, 83, of Washington Street, Watertown, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, at the home of her daughter, Vicky Landers.
Mary was born Sept. 22, 1937, in Watertown, the daughter of Victor and J. Louise (Rickerson) Clemo. She graduated from Immaculate Heart Academy and received her degrees in home economics and English from Marywood University in Scranton, PA.
Mary began her teaching career at Indian River Central in 1958, teaching home economics. In 1965, she taught English at Carthage Central. During the 1990s, she was an adjunct professor for Jefferson Community College, teaching English at the Watertown and Gouverneur correctional facilities.
Mary was the finance manager at Greenwood Buick and was the first female general manager of a car dealership in Watertown, working as General Manager for Pontiac Park. She retired in 2018, as the office manager from FX Caprara Car Co. after 29 years of service.
Mary was a member of the Watertown Golf Club, Red Hats and Morning Musicals. She served on the Watertown School Board from 1970 to 1980, serving as president in her second term. From 1997 until 2000 she was appointed to the Board of Assessment Review by Mayor Jeff Graham. For several years, Mary was a Board of Elections as an election inspector. During Mayor Jeff Smith’s (her son) campaign she served as his treasurer.
She was a communicant of Holy Family Church, Watertown.
Surviving are, a son, Jeffrey (Milly) Smith; two daughters, Vicky Kellner Landers and Julie (John) Morgia, all of Watertown; eight grandchildren, Matt Morgia, Mike Morgia, Noah Landers, Seth Landers, Carlos (Fern) Smith, Estevan Smith, Iliana Smith and Neicia Smith; two great-grandchildren, Renzo and Talia; and three nephews, Jeffrey Clemo, Matthew Clemo and Greg Clemo.
A brother, Peter, died before her in 1984.
Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 30, at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A funeral Mass will be said 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, at Holy Family Church. Burial will follow in North Watertown Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to the Jefferson County SPCA, 25059 Water St., Watertown, NY or to the Thompson Park Conservancy, 1 Thompson Park, Watertown, NY 13601.
Online condolences may be made to www.dlcalarco.com