Marjorie C. Smith

Marjorie Clare Smith (nee Hewson) died on April 24, 2015 at age 88 from Alzheimer’s disease.  Born in Royal Oak, Marjorie received her B.A. from the University of Michigan, where she met her husband D. Ross Smith, a hockey-playing student athlete who won an NCAA championship and her heart.  Marjorie taught grade school in Royal Oak until the birth of their first child.  After they moved to Grand Rapids her brood grew to seven children and she became an active volunteer for Planned Parenthood, among other groups.

Marjorie will be remembered for her grace under maternal fire, somehow managing to keep all seven children healthy, happy, and headed to school on time (more or less) even as her husband traveled throughout the week for work.  Marge also managed to juggle the demands of motherhood and earn a master’s degree in History by successfully petitioning the University of Michigan to waive its residency requirement (a first) and taking one class at a time over twelve years.

Marge cherished her circle of friends, especially her ‘birthday’ group, which started as a monthly bridge gathering but evolved as the women realized they had too much to talk about to bother with the game.  Local groups that benefitted from her passionate volunteer work, in addition to Planned Parenthood, included St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, East Grand Rapids Friends of the Library, Porter Hills, and Blodgett Hospital. 

Marge took up tennis in adulthood and proved a tenacious competitor, playing even after her ability to keep score had left her.  She spent many happy summers with family and friends in Leland and took great joy in sharing the glorious view of Lake Michigan from her home.  Marge’s other passions included reading, politics, an adoring cat named Wilson, and fresh produce.  She was an early locavore, on a first-name basis with many of the vendors at the Fulton Street Farmers Market, including her favorite who always referred to her as ‘Red’.

Marjorie hoped to leave a legacy of children who are also good friends. Her legacy is intact.  She is survived by six children -- Kyle (Win) Irwin; Clay (Leslie Black) Smith; Merrill Smith; Peter Smith; Murray (Kit Boss) Smith; Ross (Deirdre) Smith; fifteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.  Marjorie was predeceased by her son David Arthur Hewson Smith, her husband of 51 years, D. Ross Smith, and her brother John (Jack) Henry Hewson.

Family and friends will gather at 11 a.m. on May 16th at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church to celebrate Marjorie’s life.  Memorials are suggested to Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan, 425 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids 49503, or the Leelanau Conservancy, P.O. Box 1007, Leland 49654.

 Service Information