SMITH MARY ALICE (SHACKELFORD) Age 91, died peacefully at Longwood at Oakmont, July 26, 2015. Mary Alice was born September 25, 1923, to Oscar L. and Muzett (Daniel) Shackelford in Oxford, North Carolina. She grew up in Kinston, NC with her parents and brothers, in a grand home built by her father. From an early age, music was second only to family in importance to Mary Alice. She was blessed with a beautiful soprano voice that matched her lyrical soul. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in music from the Women's College of North Carolina in 1944, then moved to New York City. Her time in New York allowed her to explore her musical talent and broadened her awareness of the diverse cultures in America and beyond, kindling an interest she held throughout her life. She returned to teach at Women's College in 1945, and while in Kinston visiting her family in December 1945, she performed as the soloist at a friend's wedding. Her singing that day won the heart of Norman Smith, a Marine veteran of Iwo Jima, who decided on the spot that she was "the girl for him." Mary Alice and Norman were married on July 6, 1946, and moved back to New York, where she continued to pursue her career in music and he enrolled at Columbia University. Like many women of her generation, when her children came along - first a daughter, Leslee, in 1949; followed by sons, Christian and Gregory in 1951 and 1953 - Mary Alice set her career aside to focus on the family. Though her professional performances were suspended, music remained an essential part of her daily routine, whether running through scales, singing to her children, or lending her voice to the choir at the Baldwin Methodist Church where she and Norman worshiped. She conveyed her love of music to each of her children who learned to play piano, clarinet, oboe, and guitar. When her children were old enough, Mary Alice resumed singing professionally, both as a soloist and joining with Carolyn Reyer to form the "Bel Canto Duo." Mary Alice and Carolyn made several recordings and performed at numerous venues in Pittsburgh in the early and mid - 1960s. In the 1980s, Mary Alice further expanded her creative outlets through poetry and creating fabric art. She was an active member of the Embroiderer's Guild and the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. Her quilts and other pieces have been displayed in a number of galleries in Pittsburgh and are cherished by her family. Mary Alice was also known for her marvelous cooking and enjoyed entertaining family, friends, and new acquaintances in her home. Expanding beyond her small town southern roots, she welcomed exchange students from France and Peru to the family and regularly invited guests for dinner from countries as diverse as China and Ghana. She thrived on learning about different cultures and opened her heart to others regardless of their background. She embraced every aspect of life and gave of herself tirelessly for others' benefit. Mary Alice and Norman moved to Longwood at Oakmont in 2003, where they enjoyed the company of good friends and a thriving community. Norman passed away in 2013, just a few months after their 67th anniversary. Mary Alice is survived by her brothers, Robert (Evelyn) Shackelford of Mount Olive, NC and Arthur (Rachel) Shackelford of Greensboro, NC; children, Leslee H. (Andrew) Fiveland of Blue Hill, ME, Christian A. (Loreen) of Helena, MT, Dr. Gregory N. (Wendy) of Portland, OR; grandchildren, Heather (Gardner), Eryn, Malcolm, Dylan, Bergin and Daniel (Fiveland); and great-grandchildren, Jack and Anna (Gardner), Ayden and Colin. At Mary Alice's request, cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 1, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at Shadyside Presbyterian Church, 5121 Westminster Place, Pittsburgh. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Mary Alice's honor to the University of North Carolina - Greensboro Department of Music or the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. Arrangements entrusted to the ENGLISH FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 378 Maryland Ave., Oakmont, PA 15139. Online condolences may be made to: www.englishfuneralhome.com Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb