Obituary of Rosemary Smith

Rosemary (Murphy) Smith – Dearborn Heights
Born April 18, 1925, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2021 at age 96.

Daughter of Alphonsus and Viola Murphy, both deceased.

Wife of the late David M Smith who preceded her in 2008

Loving mother of Patricia Smith (Henry Guili, deceased) Marquette, MI, Phillip (Debra) Smith, Dearborn Hghts, Janet (Jack) Grimm, Nashotah, WI, Kevin Smith, Walled Lake, Emily (Clayton) Hatchard Dearborn.

Grandmother to Lisa (Christopher) Luciano, Bryan Douglas, Alyson Douglas, Natalia Smith, Noelle Smith and Ian Hatchard. Great Grandmother to newborn Sophia Rose Luciano.

Cherished sister of Gary (B.C.) Murphy and Barbara Hofweber and deceased siblings, Virginia (Ann) Sleeper, Richard Murphy, Susan Decker and Michael Murphy.

Rosemary grew up as the eldest of seven children in the small farming community of Shepherd, MI and for her early years, lived in a loving, multi-generational, Irish household.  She graduated high school in 1942 and went on to complete college at Central Michigan University. She never bored of sharing stories of growing up in Shepherd, and at heart, she was a small-town girl. Rosemary was a big believer in education and big supporter of “going to school”.

For the first 10 years after graduation, she taught elementary school in Saginaw and Dearborn and made lifelong friendships during that time.  She and Dave, a Ford Motor Engineer, married in 1957 and lived the remainder of their lives in Dearborn Heights, where they raised a family of five.  She lived in the family home on Wilson Dr. until age 93 when aging issues forced her to move to American House Assisted Living.

Rosemary was a dedicated wife, sister, mother and friend who opened her heart and her home to many.   She was curious, tenacious, generous and kind.  She made friends where ever she traveled and was quick to share her stories and more importantly, ask the questions!   She loved to laugh, to the point of crying! Her love and compassion extended to the Smith kids’ friends and certainly, her extended family, including 19 nieces and nephews.  Many opinions and drinks were shared around the Smith kitchen table! We hope she is sitting around the biggest kitchen table, enjoying a glass of wine with the loved ones she missed so deeply.

We are grateful for the staff and American House, The Med Team and MedTeam Hospice (Jennifer).

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; Love leaves a memory no one can steal” – St. Patrick

Per her wishes, we will hold a Celebration of Life in the Spring, 2022.
Memorials in Rosemary’s name can be made to Karmanos Cancer Foundation: https://www.karmanos.org/karmanos-foundation/tribute-gifts-karmanos-foundation