Marion J. Smith

Marion J. (DeAlberti, Heid, Shattell) Smith, 82, passed from this life on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 having survived cancer for five and a half years. She was a lifetime resident of the Syracuse, New York area born on December 17, 1925, the daughter of Julia (Saule) and Angelo De'Alberti. Her father died in 1926 and when her mother remarried she took her stepfather's name, "Heid". Marion graduated from Marcellus High School in 1943 and was a dedicated member of the reunion committee. After graduation Marion trained as an administrative assistant and worked at local corporations, including Carrier Corporation. In 1948 Marion married Leon K. Shattell and together they raised their three children and established what would become a very success business currently known as Atlas Bituminous Co., Inc. In the early years of their marriage, they owned and operated the Salina Drive-In in Nedrow, New York. As a couple, Leon and Marion were also instrumental in bringing Modern Western Square Dancing, an advanced form of traditional square dancing, to Central New York. They encourage the dance form to all ages, especially youth, by holding weekly dances in the basement of their home in Sentinel Heights. They help establish an annual event at the Onondaga County War Memorial which brought several thousand square dancers to Syracuse. Marions first husband, Leon, died in December of 1974. At the time, Leon and Marion were seeking a major expansion in their business. Marion decided to go ahead with the expansion, investing and giving personal guarantees. This proved to be a prudent business decision for with the help of the management skills of her brother-in-law and co-owner, Robert Shattell, the business flourished. Marion remained on the board of Atlas Bituminous for many years and continued as a consultant to the firm until her death. In 1977 Marion married Correctional Officer Sgt. John Smith. She helped raise his three children. Marion and John moved from Sentinel Heights, New York to Jamesville, New York in 1983 where they became very active at St Mary's Church. John died in June of 1998. Marion was a devout Catholic. She taught religious education for 45 years. She was a member of the St. James Altar and Rosary Society and was an active communicant of St. Mary's Church and most recently St. Therese Church. She worked with the clergy to provide financial and spiritual support to struggling families. Marion also volunteered weekly at Van Duyn Home and Hospital. Marion was an avid bowler. She bowled in weekly leagues including the St. James Bowling League right up until February of this year. Marion was exceptionally supportive of her children and grandchildren, seldom missing any of their academic or sporting events. She was known by thousands of student athletes for her enthusiastic cheering at Bishop Ludden, CBA, Jamesville-Dewitt, Manlius-Pebble Hill, Huntington School, Henninger High School and East Side Soccer. Marion spent much of her last years traveling to such place as Las Vegas, Hawaii, Wyoming (for her granddaughter's wedding), Yankee games and the Turning Stone Casino. Marion Smith is survived by her daughter, Charmaine (Timothy) Jones of DeWitt, New York and son, James Shattell of Syracuse, New York. She was predeceased by her son Leon Shattell Jr. in 1997. Also surviving are step-children, Jay (Lynn) Smith, Kathleen Smith and Teresa (Craig) Surber; grandchildren, Tina (Brett) Knapp-Nelson, Jessica (Cory Weigand) Jones, Andr Shattell, and Dehliarose Birdlebough-Shattell; step-grandchildren are Brian Jones, Eiron (Rusty) Smith, Patrick Williams, Robert Schrader, Christopher, Catlin and Courtney Smith, Sam and Joe Hickmann, Ashley and Travis Surber; step-great grandchildren, Reed Jones and Whitney Smith. Calling hours will be Sunday, April 27, 2008. 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, 4612 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, New York. Funeral services will be Monday, April 28, 2008, 9:15 a.m. Prayers at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, 4612 S. Salina Street, Syracuse, New York and 10:00 a.m. Mass at St Therese Church, 1304 Lancaster Avenue, Syracuse, New York. Following the mass, Marion will be laid to rest at St Mary's Cemetery, 4100 E. Genesee Stret, Dewitt, New York. Contributions may be made to Van Duyn Home & Hospital, Nursing Fund, 5075 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, New York 13215.

Marion J. Smith

December 17, 1925 - April 22, 2008