Jessica I. (Galik) Smecker-Prue, 84, of Groveland, died peacefully Friday morning, July 29, at Country Center for Health and Rehabilitation, Newburyport.
She was born in Salem, Feb. 26, 1932, daughter of the late Frank and Pearl (Skubliniak) Galik and was educated in the Salem school system, graduating from Salem High School. Known as “Ma” to many, Smecker-Prue was a modest woman. One of her greatest joys, besides her family, was her generosity of feeding the homeless and less fortunate every Wednesday, year round, at GAR Park, Haverhill for several years. The last surviving of seven Galik children, she enjoyed playing bingo, yard sales, and playing cards with her late brother and sister-in-law, Ray and Irene Galik.
She was the wife of the late Joseph R. Smecker, who died in 1974, and the late Stewart Prue, who died in 2003, and mother of the late Cathi Smecker-Hersom, who died in 2007. Her survivors include a daughter, Susan Harvey of West Newbury; son, Frank Smecker of Barre, Vt.; stepson, Dennis Prue and his wife Susie of Plaistow, N.H.; five grandchildren, Frank and Joseph Smecker, Cathryn and William Foustoukos and Aida Gross; as well as several step grandchildren and step great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her memorial service Saturday morning, Aug. 20, 11, in Hope Church, 11 Hale St., Newburyport, followed by a luncheon at the church. Arrangements are by H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Haverhill & Bradford.