Marilyn Sue Smart

Here's to a life well lived! Marilyn Sue Smart, a cherished, long-time resident of Jackson, WY passed peacefully at home, Friday, March 21, 2025 surrounded by her loving Jackson family – Suzi, Larry and Kodi Warren. She was 90 years old. 

Marilyn, affectionately known as Mare, was well-educated, articulate, widely travelled, always impeccably dressed, exceedingly kind, an animal lover who touched many hearts. 

Born in Amarillo, Texas October 24, 1934 to Maurine and Jim Reeves, Mare pursued Education and Home Economics at Oklahoma State University in the mid 1950's. A true cowgirl, she participated in numerous rodeos and cow-calling contests and was crowned "Miss Miami" in Texas, where she graduated high school. 

At OSU, she joined the Kappa, Kappa Gamma sorority, met and married Fredric Milton Ash. Shortly after their wedding, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and they were deployed to Germany where Fred was a helicopter and L-19 fixed wing pilot. They welcomed two children overseas, Greg and Suzi, and added another son, Michael, after returning to the states. 

In 1989, Mare moved to Jackson with with her 24' O'Day sailboat in tow to live with Suzi, Larry, Kodi and Kaleb, She joined the team at Grand Teton National Park where she worked until her retirement in 2012. Her favorite part of work at GTNP were her colleagues who quickly became her second family. Active in her community, she volunteered extensively at St. John’s Episcopal Church, coordinating efforts for both the altar guild in town and at the park chapel. 

In 1998, Mare moved into park housing in Moose, where her home became a hub of social activity. She hosted countless girls' night dinners, movie and wine nights and became a seasonal employees’ training star. 

Long-time Jackson local Brent Blue and his son Arthur also became a close part of the family as she became Arthur's de facto Grandmother, anointed “The Queen of Nice”. Mare traveled all over Europe on vacations helping with Arthur. Maybe her favorite trip was to Israel for Arthur’s bar mitzvah where she learned how to ride a camel and shoot an Uzi. 

After retiring, Mare moved back in with her Jackson family. Her love for travel continued spending many winter months visiting family in Ft. Myers and Port Saint Lucie, Florida and traveling as far as Japan. She never missed an opportunity for adventure, joining her family on trips to Mexico and numerous cruises. Mare’s happy place was always by or on the water. 

Marilyn leaves behind her sons Greg (and wife Debbie) Ash, Michael (and wife Reiko) Ash, her daughter, Suzi (and husband Larry) Warren; and grandchildren Kodi Warren, Kaleb Brown, Jason Thompson, Anika Ash and Amelie Ash. A celebration of life will be planned for early summer.