Marilyn R. Smith

Marilyn Rose Smith, 79 of Inverness, FL, died on August 12, 2026. She was born April 20, 1947, to the late William and Lena Rusin. She was raised in East Smithfield, PA and attended SRU High School, class of 1965. Mrs. Smith worked many different jobs over the years. She sewed lingerie at Sayre Lingerie, in Sayre, PA, she sold Singer sewing machines, and she demonstrated Litton microwaves. One of the jobs she was most proud of was working in the advertising department at Iszard’s Department Store. She was the parade coordinator for their Thanksgiving Day Parade. She enjoyed helping design costumes, design floats, and all the craziness of the day of the parade. She would be asked often what if it rains; her answer was always, “It won’t rain on my parade”. In the many years she ran the parade, it only rained once or twice but the rain always stopped before the parade started. She also opened a craft store called “The Craft Basket” in Elmira, NY, with her best friend, the late Lynn Gardinor. They sold craft supplies and held crafting classes.

Mrs. Smith was an active church member. First in East Smithfield, PA at the Federated Church; and more recently as a member of the Frist Baptist Church of Inverness, FL. In her free time, she loved spending time playing cards and hanging out with her special friends, Melanie and Jack Pierce, Joan Watkins and Castle Northrup. She was an avid crafter and enjoyed to cross stitch and crochet.

Mrs. Smith loved her family and extended family beyond measure. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Rodney L. Smith. Her mother, Lena Opthof Rusin, her father, William Rusin, and her brother Kenneth Rusin.

Mrs. Smith is survived by her daughter Karin Smith Kelly and son-in-law, Jeffrey Kelly. She also had several bonus daughters Dawn Horton of Inverness, FL, Siv Rist Richardsen (Stig Richardsen) of Tromso, Norway, and Mari Julsrud of Oslo, Norway. As well as grandchildren Erin Kelly and Logan Kelly; nieces, Susan Rusin, Laura Rusin Gray (Greg Gray), Elaine Wich Collum (Phil Collum), and Mikki Raymond Wood (Roger Wood); nephews, Rick Raymond (Carol Raymond), Ron Raymond (Tootsie Raymond), Scott Wich (Jacquie Wich): and several great nieces and nephews.