Maureen Smith OBITUARY
Maureen Dwyer Smith, 80, passed away after a lengthy illness on March 21, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Florida, surrounded by her loving family. She was an accomplished civic leader and a devoted supporter of her large family and many friends.
Maureen was born in New York City on February 7, 1945, and grew up in New Rochelle, NY. She graduated from the Ursuline School before earning a B.A. in Painting and Studio Art from Newton College of the Sacred Heart in 1966. After college, she pursued graduate studies at The New School for Social Research in New York, focusing on the linguistic philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein.
She began her professional career in advertising at Benton & Bowles in New York. In 1968, she joined American Heritage Publishing Company (Horizon Books) as an associate editor, where she researched and contributed to the writing and editing of seventeen art and history books, covering topics as diverse as Colonial America, Russia, and China.
In 1974, Maureen married Edward B. (“E.B.”) Smith, Jr., and moved to Chicago. They shared a loving and devoted marriage for over 50 years.
Maureen was known for her kindness and unwavering support of those with whom she worked. While in Chicago, Maureen began a new career as a retail consultant, primarily with Marshall Field’s, and dedicated herself to civic leadership. She served as Chair of the Board of the Joffrey Ballet, where she also founded its Women’s Board. Her leadership was widely credited with helping to establish a sound financial and managerial foundation for the Joffrey.
Maureen’s dedication to the arts and education extended to numerous other institutions. She was a Trustee of the Field Museum, the Chicago Public Library Foundation, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and After School Matters. She also co-authored 100 Masterpieces, the Art Institute of Chicago’s centennial publication. Additionally, she served on the Women’s Boards of the Field Museum, the Art Institute, Rush University Medical Center, Northwestern University, the Alliance Française, the Goodman Theatre, the Lincoln Park Zoo, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Her commitment to civic engagement earned her shared awards from the Harvard Club of Chicago and DePaul University.
Despite her numerous accomplishments, Maureen’s greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted mother to her sons Edward and Peter, and a loving mother-in-law to Debbie and Eliza. She cherished her five grandchildren — Nathan, Brandon, Liam, Josie, and Teddy — staying closely connected to them through frequent visits and phone calls.
Maureen also provided constant support to her late parents, John and Mary Ellen Dwyer, particularly in their older years. She is survived by her husband E.B. Smith, Jr., her sister Mary Ellen Mason (Rick), her brothers John Dwyer (Susan) and Kevin Dwyer (Ann), and their families: Amanda Mason, Richard Mason, Ivan Dwyer (Camila), Max Dwyer, Julia Crane (Chris), John Dwyer, and Patrick Dwyer. She also leaves behind her sister-in-law Suzette de Marigny Smith, and her beloved nieces and nephews: Suzette Bulley (Ally), Jonathan Bross (Cynthia), Lisette Bross (Ray), Dolly Geary (Jack), and Gordon Faux (Sarah), along with many cousins and their families.
Maureen was a brilliant, loving, and accomplished woman who will be deeply missed by her family and countless friends.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 11, at 2:30 p.m. at the Church of St. Mary, 175 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest, IL, followed by a 3:30 reception in Lake Forest. A second reception for her Florida friends will be held on Saturday, May 3, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Hobe Sound, FL.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Maureen Dwyer Smith Scholarship Fund at the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, the Art Institute of Chicago, or a charity of your choice.
