Dorothy M. “Dee” Smyth
Dorothy Marilyn “Dee” Smyth, age 88, transitioned from the confines of our earthly world on December 31, 2016. She has been freed from her captor of more than 10 years, Alzheimer’s Disease. An area resident for 75 years, she was born in Greenfield, Indiana, and was a graduate of Holt High School in 1946.
Dee spread sunshine and smiles wherever she went. Her first job, as a teenager, was at Hitchins Drug Store in Holt, at the soda fountain. She described it as “The best first job in the world.” Along with loving, guiding and nurturing her family, she worked as Receptionist at Management Recruiters, a Sales Representative for Proctor and Gamble, Northrup King Seeds, and Johnsonville Meats. She loved antiques, and turned that love into a business, “Frog Hollow Antiques.” She sold her treasures in a small shop in Williamston. Dee had a gift for music. She played the accordion, piano, ukulele, and sang with the Sweet Adelines Water Wonderland Chorus. She was also an accomplished writer of short stories. Dee loved all creatures, great and small. There was a constant parade of dogs and cats through her home, along with bunnies, chameleons, turtles and other furry things. She frequently “saved” wild animals, stray and injured, and transported them to a wildlife rehabilitation center.
Dee is survived by her loving family: husband of 69 years, Robert “Bob”; son, Steve (Mary) of Kila, MT; daughter, Eadie Harley of Holt; daughter, Sue Ellen Smyth-Scirocco (Tony) of San Pedro, CA; son, Marc of Lansing; eleven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; brother William Crider, of Greenfield, IN; sister, Sharon Plummer of Anderson, IN; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends she considered family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dalphon Crider and Edythe Crider Ogg; brother, David Crider; and infant daughter, Gwen.
Family will receive visitors Thursday, January 12, 2017, from 6-8 p.m. at the Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel. By her request, we will “Celebrate Dee’s Life” with a Dessert Gathering, Friday, January 13, 4:00 p.m. at Charlar Place, 4230 Charlar Dr., Holt. Please come, enjoy the desserts, and share your memories of Dee with family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association would be appreciated.
