Late founder of Unity House honored

TROY, N.Y. » In the Collar City, May 15, 2018 was Mary Jane Smith Day, honoring the late founder and former executive director of Unity House.

Smith was one of three founders of Unity House. In 1971, Smith, Regis Obijiski and Peter Callagahan founded the organization in response to the needs of people living in poverty. Even after she retired from Unity House in 1991, Smith continued to support the organization in many ways, notably through volunteer work.

Smith passed away in January 2017. With Tuesday being what would have been her 90th birthday, elected officials, Unity House representa-

tives and relatives of Smith came together for a day of service to the community.

Officials noted how Smith was a beloved friend to many, especially in Unity House’s kitchen and dining room where a free community meal is served daily. Mary Jane Day at Unity House honors that commitment to service and loving kindness.

Organizers said Mary Jane Day at Unity House is intended to celebrate Smith and her dedication to making a difference in the world and to remember a woman who was a friend to many people in the community.

The day included a special meal, served by board members along with Troy Mayor Patrick Madden — who proclaimed May 15, 2018 as Mary Jane Smith Day in Troy — in Unity House’s community meals dining room, and several volunteer projects throughout the City of Troy.

On Tuesday morning, Unity Houseboardmembers prepped a spaghetti community meal as other volunteers including Smith’s stepdaughter, Ronda Lyons, gave

back to the community by cleaning up the area around the original Unity House building at 309 8th St., which is now used as a holiday store for Unity House.

“My whole life was spent with her doing service for people that needed it, she connected people to service and service was her way,” said Lyons as she was putting flowers into a flower bin on the porch of the 8th Street building Tuesday morning. “I feel like this is a good way to honor her.”

During the community meal at Unity House at 2431

Sixth Ave. Madden along with Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin presented proclamations to Unity House representatives and shared some of their thoughts on Smith’s life of service.

“I just wanted to stop by and pay tribute to Mary,” said McLaughlin. “What a great woman and what a great mission that she had and what a great result that continues here every day helping people.”

“Mary Jane Smith was just a giant walking among us, she was an incredibly compassionate, fun human being and she created

Unity House out of nothing,” added Madden.

NICHOLAS BUONANNO — NBUONANNO@ TROYRECORD.COM Ronda Lyons, who is a step-daughter to the late founder of Unity House Mary Jane Smith, places some new flowers in a flower bed outside of one Unity House’s properties in Troy on Mary Jane Smith Day.

NICHOLAS BUONANNO — NBUONANNO@TROYRECORD.COM People clean up the area outside of Unity House’s 8th Street property on Tuesday morning in honor of a late founder of Unity House, Mary Jane Smith.

NICHOLAS BUONANNO — NBUONANNO@TROYRECORD.COM Several photos of the late Mary Jane Smith including this one can be seen around Unity House in Troy in her memory.