Ann Marie Smith

ANN MARIE SMITH

     Anne M. Smith, 81, died Saturday, June 3, 2023 at her home in Caro. She was born July 16, 1941 in Deford to Kenneth and Caroline (McRobbie) Churchill and spent much time living with her aunt and uncle, Beulah (McRobbie) Cox and Clarence Cox in Kingston.  She married Gordon Leroy Smith on July 28, 1962 in the Methodist Church of Deford. He died June 22, 1996.

      Ann graduated from Kingston High School in 1959 and then attended Western Michigan University for two years where she studied journalism. While at college she met her future husband, Gordon, when he mistakenly sat in her seat at a play they were required to attend for their theater class.

      Ann was a loving wife and champion for her family, always going above and beyond to support her three sons in whatever endeavors they pursued, from golf, to 4-H, to collecting Star Wars toys, to raising show pigeons. She also loved her grandchildren and her siblings. She was known for hosting the annual family Thanksgiving gathering where she would serve her delicious Dutch apple pie, pumpkin torte, and famous and much sought after ‘turkey’ butter cookies.

      Ann loved reading, going to the movies, listening to music, and watching old westerns on TV. She also loved animals including “Petey”, the pet barn pigeon she raised as a child and her cat, Poppy, with whom she regularly shared a bed in her later years. She was a die-hard University of Michigan fan and would regularly watch and attend Michigan sporting events with her family, with all three of her sons and one of her granddaughters having graduated from U-M.  Ann volunteered with the Human Development Commission’s Adult Day Service program for over 15 years where she brightened the days of many senior citizens. For her service, she was at one point honored with the HDC volunteer of the year award.

      Ann is survived by her three sons, Michael (Amy Smith-Moniz) Smith of Chester Springs, PA; Tobin (Janet) Smith of Arlington, VA; and Sean Smith of Caro; grandchildren, Madeline (Alphonse DiSiro) Smith, Woodlyn, PA; Evan Smith, West Chester, PA; Cameron Smith, Charlotte Smith, and Olivia Smith of Arlington, VA; Siblings: Carol (Jim) Savedge, Clarkston; Chuck (Kathy) Churchill, Burlington, Ontario; Dale (Patty) Churchill, Deford. She was preceded in death by husband, Gordon; and siblings Vernon (Gail, still living) Churchill and Janice (Arnold) Leach. The Smith family would like to extend a special thank you to Ann’s private home health care aides:  Wanda, Terra, Sandy and Makenna, as well as, Compassus Hospice for their exceptional care and compassion.

      To celebrate Ann’s life, her family will receive guests on Sunday, July 16, 2023 from 11:30 pm to 2:00 pm with a reception and luncheon to be held in the L&C Hall, 146 W Burnside Street, Caro (come at any time during this period). The reception will be followed by a showing of one of Ann's favorite movies, “I Remember Mama (1948),” at the Strand Theater, 101 S State Street, Caro. Doors for the movie will open at 2:30 pm with the movie beginning at approximately 3:00 pm. 

      In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Ann Smith to the Dementia Society of America by mail to PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901 or online at: www.DementiaSociety.org/donate;  or to the Arthritis Foundation by mail to P.O. Box 96280, Washington, DC 20077 or online at: https://www.arthritis.org/honor-memorial-form.

Arrangements by

Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City