Mary Ellen Smelker (Savage), born April 1, 1942, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2025. She was the daughter of Daniel and Bernice Savage and the eldest of four children. She is survived by her siblings, Dan Savage, Tim Savage, and Kathy McPartland. Mary was married to Nelson Smelker for 40 years. She is survived by her children, Doniece Harper, Dana Goodwin, Tye Stockton; and her stepchildren, Stephanie Slavin and Todd Miller; her grandchildren, Jayson Strickland, Sean Strickland, Leslie McMillan, Allie Goodwin, Zach Stockton, and Ryan Stockton; and her seven great-grandchildren.

After moving to Tallahassee, Florida, Mary worked for the state of Florida before beginning a 20-year career with IBM. She retired in 1988 from her position as an administrative manager.

Mary and her husband, Nelson, valued travel and the opportunity to experience life in many places. They lived in Atlanta, Georgia, Stanford, Connecticut, and Houston, Texas, before settling on Amelia Island, Florida, where they restored the historic Fairbanks House and operated it as a bed and breakfast. They later lived abroad in London and Surrey, England. Upon returning to the United States, they restored a historic home in Galveston, Texas, before ultimately settling in Mount Dora, Florida. In her later years, Mary and Nelson enjoyed traveling throughout the country in their RV.

Mary was an accomplished oil and acrylic artist and loved hosting, with her creativity evident in all that she did. She remained actively involved in her community, including membership in P.E.O., service on the board of The Sonnentag Theater at the Icehouse in Mount Dora, and membership in the Mount Dora Yacht Club.

A private Celebration of Life honoring Mary will take place on January 17, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Waterman Village Chapel, located at 445 Waterman Avenue, Mount Dora, Florida, with services limited to family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mary's name to the Alzheimer's Association or The Sonnentag Theater at the Icehouse of Mount Dora.

Mary's funeral arrangements are under the caring guidance of Allen J. Harden Funeral Home of Mount Dora, Florida.