Irene Smith Hurst (nee Brochu)

Irene Smith Hurst (nee Brochu) passed away peacefully at her home in Holt, Michigan on October 19, 2026. She was born on March 8, 1933 in Elizabeth, New Jersey to the late Henri and Mary (Belisle) Brochu.

Irene was a loving and patient mother, a curious student, a lover of the outdoors (especially the Great Lakes of Michigan) and ‘40s song and dance, and a person of deep religious faith. She was not moved by material things but by kindnesses shown to others. She worked as a secretary for MSU, the state of Michigan, local churches, and various other businesses throughout her 25 years in Michigan.

In the mid-1970s, Irene moved to Arizona where she fell in love with the mountains, days of hiking, and endless blue skies, not to mention the warmer temps. It was in Arizona where she met her second husband, Harold. To satiate Irene’s wanderlust spirit, she and Harold bought a fifth wheel trailer in their retirement years and traveled the country, visiting friends and family and nearly all 50 states.

Irene is survived by her children: Cynthia Dimitrijevic, Gregory Smith, and Janet (Daniel) McGoldrick; grandchildren: Nicolette Dimitrijevic and Eamon McGoldrick (Ella); great-grandchild Cameron Dimitrijevic; siblings: Richard Brochu and Evelyn Urban; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. Irene was preceded in death by her first husband, Ronald Weston Smith of Lansing, her beloved in-laws Margaret and Kenneth Smith, her second husband Harold Hurst, siblings: Henry Brochu, Jr., Alice Dominique, Kenneth Brochu; and son-in-law Phillip Dimitrijevic.

Irene’s family will celebrate her life privately; there will be no public services. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Lansing. Arrangements are bythe Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel.