Smith's parents were Charles Smith and Rose Anne Tierney (Smith).  

Australian colonial art historian and art patron. Marjorie Jean McCredie was born to John Alexandra and Florence Amelia Paterson (McCredie). During her childhood, McCredie was influenced by her parents’ politics, her father a Fabian socialist and her mother active in the Australian National Women’s League. McCredie grew up in Princes Hill and Kew, Australia. She attended Presbyterian Ladies’ College boarding school and the University of Melbourne, where she graduated.