Marian Louise (Roseborough) Smith

Marian Louise (Roseborough) Smith, 91, of Fort Worth, Texas, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2024, in her sleep. 

 Born in Mount Dora, Florida on December 7, 1932, to Douglas D. and Mary A. (DeVault) Roseborough. She was the fourth of five children, Douglas (DD), Sarah, and Frederick (Fred), all of whom preceded her in death and her sister Laura, still living. Marian was preceded in death by her loving husband, Dr. William (Bill) B. Smith in 2012, and is survived by her three children, Mark Williamson, Frederick Douglas, and Mary Felise Smith-Peters and two grandchildren, William and Marley Smith-Peters. 

 Marian attended Florida State University where she studied Latin and the classics, and met her husband, Bill. Texas Christian University brought Bill and Marian to Ft. Worth, where he would teach and conduct research in organic chemistry for over 46 years. 

Marian and Bill had the opportunity to travel the world for pleasure and for his TCU chemistry career throughout their lives. They lived in Rustington, England, and Christchurch, New Zealand during Bill’s research sabbaticals. 

 Marian was a consummate volunteer in the community – helping with reading students at Westcreek Elementary, at the election polls, and she held leadership roles in TCU Women’s Club, Ft. Worth Newcomers Club, Book club, in a Lunch Bunch group. She was an ace bridge player and played with the same bridge group for decades. Marian and her family have been members of the Fort Worth Boat Club, since 1968, where they were avid sailors, and racers on their family’s various sailboats. Marian “jumped ship” from active racing to helping with sailboat race committee boat duties of helping with race starts, and logging finishes. She also trained many to serve on race committee.

 Marian was an avid reader, followed college sports religiously, enjoyed attending the Ft. Worth Symphony, watching Jeopardy (we knew not to call during that time), and discussing national and world politics, as well supporting good causes. Marian will be greatly missed as she was a best friend to all three of her children and to so many people. Her younger friends and friends of her children, often referred to her as “mom”. 

 There will be a celebration of life for Marian in the fall at the Ft. Worth Boat Club and information to come on supporting a chemistry scholarship in Marian and Bill’s name at TCU.