Mary Ellen Frank, precious daughter of Verna and Gordon Ryzenga of Holland Michigan and beloved wife of Robert G. Smith of St. Petersburg, Florida died peacefully at home on February 12, 2026. Mary was raised in the Maplewood neighborhood of Holland and in the fellowship of the Maplewood Reformed Church.

A graduate of Holland High School and Hope College, Mary held graduate degrees in education from Western Michigan University. Her career in education with the Hudsonville Public Schools was devoted to the profession of teaching by exemplifying the qualities of determination and achievement for her students. Those same personal qualities were deeply held career guides for Mary as she was also a successful business owner for several years.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her nephew Matthew VanderLaan. She is survived by her husband, and her sister and brother-in- law Barbara and Mark VanderLaan of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Mary was a person of exceptional beauty, style, and grace; outwardly always, and even more so inwardly. She loved the promise of Christianity, the joy of long and lasting friendships, the sentimentality of treasured traditions, the deep personal meaning dear to her at Christmas Eve candlelight services, and the memories carried with the significance of each ornament she carefully placed on the tree. She relished simple pleasures brought to life by the warmth of the summer sun, long walks on the beach or by Tampa Bay, and ordinary occasions made extraordinary by her.

Mary's life, and the memory of her, will be treasured as a gift from God by her family and friends. A memorial service will be held later in her native Michigan. Donations to honor Mary will be gratefully accepted by Suncoast Hospice Foundation, 2675 Tampa Road, Palm Harbor FL 34684.