Maureen "Mo" Gass Smith

Maureen Gass Smith, aka Mo, aka Reenie, passed away on March 31, 2023, comfortably at her new residence Somerford Assisting Living House in Frederick, Maryland after a battle with Parkinson’s Disease. 

This fun, passionate, crazy, loving, affectionate, unselfish, hard-working, patriotic woman will be sorely missed. Maureen had a talent for entertaining people with all her funny stories. Her memory for names, dates, locations etc., was miraculous and her strength to accept and manage life’s roller coaster ride was amazing! 

Maureen loved people! All people! Especially children. She never passed judgement! Never! Yet, if you asked for her opinion, she had no fear of telling you the truth. She would straighten your butt and attitude out in a heartbeat. Everybody needs a friend like that. One of her greatest assets was her ability to befriend people and keep those relationships going for a lifetime. 

Maureen was a skinny little, energetic spitfire that grew up in Rockaway, NJ, often running through the woods and gathering her friends together to get into mischief. She knew all the kids in the neighborhood and where to find the boy’s secret provocative magazines hidden in the base of tree trunks. Always being the protector, Maureen was proudly kicked out of Catholic school for kicking a Nun that was beating on her little brother. You go girl! Playing dress up right up to the end made her so happy.

Surviving without complaining was one of her biggest attributes. Mo was severely burned as a child and was under hospitalized recovery for 4+ years with last rights given, but Jesus obviously had a plan and purpose for her. 

Mo was married and divorced at a young age, becoming a single Mother, working 3 jobs at a time to survive and care for her son.

Eventually she met the love of her life Jerry and moved to Maryland then working for Bell Laboratories. In addition, Mo adventured into professionally showing and breeding dogs, of which her Labrador and Beagle became champions.  She was so proud of this.

There is an extremely special group of friends Maureen called “The Jersey Girls”. They were stuck together like glue since Grammar School and amazingly stayed close right up until her passing. Consistently gabbing, gathering, and supporting one another through phone calls, cards, and visits. There was not a day that went by where Maureen would not speak of one of the “girls”. In today’s world, this special continued friendship is almost unheard of.

When Mo loved, she LOVED you forever and unconditionally!

Maureen basically adopted a 3rd family of friends at Mealey’s Restaurant in New Market, Maryland, a 4th at Oakdale Middle School as part of the cafeteria staff, a 5th family at Whiskey Creek Golf Course and a 6th at Holly Hills Country club.

Always being the Belle of the Ball, she entertained her friends with humor. She really should have become a professional comedian. Rarely would you see Mo without a beautiful smile and open arms. One of God’s special children.

So, our friend Maureen, Mo, Reenie live it up Chickee and keep’m laughing!

She is survived by her son; Richard John Vininski of Warren County, NJ, grandson; Andrew Donald Vininski, of Williamson County, TX, an aunt; Mary Lou Bristol and husband Matt Bristol, sister-in-law; Jeanette Gass, nephew; Kevin Gass and wife Kari, and nieces; Jenna L. Clark and Amanda L. Di Napoli and husband Matt.

In addition to her husband Jerry Smith and her parents, she is preceded in death by her siblings; George Gass, Michael Gass, and Donald Gass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Parkinson's Foundation, P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741 or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike Frederick, MD 21702

A celebration of Maureen's life will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 1:30 PM at the funeral home. Light refreshments are to follow services from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at www.StaufferFuneralHome.com.