Marcella M. Smith

Olean- Marcella May Douglas- Rakocy Smith passed away Saturday (July 15, 2023) at the Olean General Hospital.

Born February 12, 1945, in Olean, she was the daughter of the late Claude and Helen Schoonmaker Douglas. She was previously married to Dennis J. Rakocy and then married Charles “Chuck” Smith, who predeceased her on January 9, 2023.

She was a 1963 graduate of Otto-Eldred Junior- Senior High School Duke Center, PA, and was their class secretary.  She received her Bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University, and in 1978, she received her Master’s in Guidance from St. Bonaventure University.  

In her earlier career, Marcella worked as a teacher for Floyd C. Fretz Middle School in Bradford, PA., and in the evenings, was a relator for Century 21.  In 1987, she started her insurance agency, Marcella Smith- State Farm Insurance Agent in Olean, before retiring in 2022.

Marcella was an Olean Chamber of Commerce member and helped advocate for the start of the Challenger Center in Allegany.  She was also the President of the Otto-Eldred Alumni Association.  Marcella loved playing cards, singing, and playing the piano and organ. She was an excellent typist and used to enter contests to earn extra money to help support her family. Her greatest joy was raising her children and step-children, and she will be remembered for having a heart of gold and being willing to help those in need.  

She is survived by three loving daughters, Theresa (Emmett) Morgan of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., Ann (Dave Moyer) Rakocy of Frostproof, Fla., and Suzanne (Thomas) Strait of Duke Center, PA., five grandchildren, Abbie Strait, Emilie Morgan, Zachary Rakocy, Anthony and Alaina Clancy.  She is also survived by three grandchildren that Chuck and Marcella raised, Cole (Amber) Davis of Portville, Cassie (Nikolas) Tascone of Lynchburg, Va., and Lacey (Larry) Cook of Olean.; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Marcella was predeceased by; one son, Mark Rakocy, three brothers, and one sister.

Friends will be received at the Duke Center United Methodist Church, 26 Oil Valley Road, Duke Center, PA, on Thursday (July 20, 2023) from 1 pm- 2 pm, with a memorial service beginning at 2 pm. Rev. Beth Rosler, pastor, will officiate.

Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery, Smethport, PA., and the family’s convenience.

Memorials, if desired, may be made Otto-Eldred, Alumni Association Scholarship Fund c/o Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, 301 N. Union Street, Suite 203, Olean, NY 14760 or www.cattfoundation.org or to the Duke Center United Methodist Church, 26 Oil Valley Road, Duke Center, PA, 16729.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State Street, Olean. Online condolences can be expressed at www.guentherfh.com.