Mary Jean Hamberg Smith

Mary Jean Smith, 82, of South Amboy, New Jersey, died peacefully at home on August 11, 2025 surrounded by her beloved and loving family. Mary Jean grew up with her brother, Edward, in Bayonne, New Jersey and was the daughter of Ann and John Hamberg.  She was the wife of her late and beloved husband, Alfred Smith, who left her way too early in life…he was the love of her life. Jeannie and Al were married for over 30 years and raised four children in South Amboy while they continually strove to support family, friends, and community. Jeannie loved kids and worked for years in the evening attending Kean University to obtain her degree in education. While obtaining her teaching degree she worked for many years as a substitute teacher in the South Amboy School District where she was known as “mom” to so many kids. “Mrs. Smith” loved children and always, always put them first. Her years as a classroom teacher were a cornerstone to her legacy and that was evident in most any kid you might run into who had her as a teacher. Jean was an advocate and activist on behalf of the children of South Amboy as she worked alongside an amazing group of women in their fight to end split sessions and allow all local kids a chance to attend school full time. Eventually Jean went on to serve on the local board of education to make sure these efforts came to fruition.   Jeannie was also a softball coach and a girl scout leader, was known and loved by her community, and was always there to offer her love and support to anyone who needed it.

Mary Jean Smith is survived by her four children and their families: Peter and Jeanne Smith of Austin, Texas, Christine and Mark Valori of Spring Lake, NJ, Pamela Smith of Point Pleasant and Patricia Smith of Brick, N.J. She was grandma to eight beautiful grandchildren who were the joy of her life: John Smith, Liam McAlister, Olivia Valori, Isabella Valori, Ava Valori, Grace Wilson, Ethan Wilson, Christopher Knighton, and Alexandra Knighton.

Mary Jean, sister to the late Edward Hamberg and his beautiful late wife Maureen is survived by their four children Michael and his wife Karen and their daughters Lauren and Kristen , Robert and his wife Meghan and their children Alex, Meghan and Zach, Thomas and his wife Lisa and their children Sarah and Jake, Lauralyn and her husband Matt and their daughter Luci, and her sister-in-law Donna Mahon.

Mary is also survived by her beloved sister-in-law, Catherine Charmello and her nephew Joseph Charmello and his wife Toni, and her niece Karen Koestler and her husband Jim and their children Nicole and Katherine. Also, sister-in-law, Stephanie, wife to the late Joseph Smith, and their five children, Susan, Aileen, Stephanie Lynn, Andy, Jay, and many grandnieces and nephews, and many, many beloved friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday August 16, 2025 at 9:45am from The Gundrum Service “Home For Funerals” 237 Bordentown Avenue, South Amboy followed by a 10:30am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Church. Interment will be in Christ Church Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 4 to 7pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Collier Youth Services, 160 Conover Road, Wickatunk, NJ 07765, collieryouthservices.org.

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