Mary Kathleen Smedley

Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Smedley will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 8, 2026 at St. Matthew's Catholic Church with Father Steven Titus officiating. Mary Kathleen Canton, Schaper, Smedley journeyed her way to heaven with a joyous anticipation on June 1, 2026.  Mary came into this world on August 14, 1939 in Lackawanna, N.Y. to her proud parents, Lillian and Leo Canton. Mary would grow up in an Irish neighborhood in Buffalo, N.Y. with her older sister, Ellen, and her two Grandmas, both named Mary. Mary attended elementary school and a catholic high school in Buffalo. Post Graduation Mary entered the convent of The Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity. While in the convent Mary became a nurse and served the poor in Mexico for two and a half years. A serious illness brought Mary back to the States. Mary spent a significant amount of time back at the Mother House healing. Once healthy again, Mary went on to serve as Director of Nursing Service, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Minot, North Dakota. After much prayer and discernment Mary left the convent and with a co-worker and friend, JoAnn Davis, moved to Riverton, WY. where together they purchased the El Rancho Motel. Mary was in charge of maintenance and after much trial and much experience, the two of them kept the motel running. They sold the motel after three and a half years. During Mary's time in Riverton she met Henry Schaper, a local dairyman. When Mary decided to leave and go to Gillette, WY, after selling the motel Henry followed her and they were married in April of 1982. Henry got a job as a ditch digger and Mary got a job as a nurse and as an anesthetist at Campbell County Hospital. Mary was filled with knowledge, compassion, empathy and the best sense of humor. The gifts given to Mary lit up her career and she knew they had to be shared with all she met. It was no wonder she became Head Nurse of the OR, and later Head of Nursing. During her ten-year time with the hospital, she also held the position as President of the Board of Nursing. This position took her to many places all over the state of Wyoming. Mary and Henry continued on with their lives in Gillette. Sadly, in the year 2000, Henry passed from cancer. They had 18 beautiful years together. Grief changes all those who love and that was no different for Mary. Mary knew she needed others to help her in her grief and eventually joined a grief group. It was through this group Mary met and wed Veral Smedley, "Smed" in 2002. Mary and Smed made their home in Cheyenne, WY. The two of them enjoyed being on the road together and did a lot of traveling and were married for almost 17 years. Smed passed in 2019. Smed's family continued to love Mary and be part of her life. Mary eventually moved back to Gillette to live with her friend, JoAnn. Mary and Joann were both living alone and decided it would be a good idea to live together in order to take care of each other. JoAnn passed in April of 2021. Mary then moved into Primrose where she loved the people and staff, and where they loved her. Mary, being Irish, wanted a Wake but not after she passed but before and so she had the best Wake ever at Primrose. It still is the talk of the town at Primrose. Many friends came to show their love for Mary. Mary was an absolutely wonderful person, a true gem, the kind of person whom we would all want to be. Once you met Mary, she became a great gift in your life. She was so loving, so friendly, so warm, so real, so genuine, so generous and so funny. She certainly was ALL Irish and she so loved her Irish heritage. More than her love of being Irish, Mary loved her catholic faith and absolutely loved receiving Jesus in the Eucharist during the celebration of the Mass. In her later years, receiving Jesus in the Eucharist would bring tears to her eyes each and every time. We will miss the one and only Mary Smedley. Her physical presence will be lost to us, but her spirit will live in each and every one of us each time we show kindness, empathy, compassion, generosity, and love to someone. To know Mary is to love her. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel 210 West 5th Street, Gillette, WY 82716. Condolences may also be expressed at www.gillettememorialchapel.com