Lorraine Smith

Lorraine Smith passed away on January 15, 2023, at Munson Medical Center from injuries she sustained from a auto accident on December 22. She lived an amazing life full of adventure and beauty. She modeled as a teenager while receiving medals for firearm marksmanship. She worked her entire life, except for a few years after having her only child, and put her husband Lowell Smith all the way through medical school. He had served two four-year tours in the Airforce, which he joined after leaving college at the start of the Korean War. He was 9 years her senior, but she taught him canoeing which was a passion they both shared. She loved to travel which included two trips to both Europe and Southeast Asia, as well as trips to almost every state, including multiple trips to Alaska and Hawaii, Canada, and the Caribbean, and most of the Gulf coast were also explored on many trips. She had a passion for riding in bi-planes and enjoyed her experiences sky diving and white-water rafting. After growing up in Southfield, her love of Northern Michigan included all of its diversity, small town charm, and oddities. Her best friend, without a doubt, was Alice Landis who was Thelma to Lorraine’s Louise. She had many friends in the Native American community especially those connected with Greensky Hill United Methodist church in Charlevoix. She had many jobs in this area including working for Lloyd’s Business Machines but her three favorite jobs were working at Interlochen Center for the Arts and then ending her career working for Michigan’s Health & Human Services and finally Comfort Keepers. Never having grandchildren, she fell in love with all the students she met at Interlochen and took enormous pride taking care of their travel arrangements to and from the school. She wanted to adopt them all and continued to display their art throughout her house until the end. She received her retirement from the state after helping people navigate the system to obtain their rightful benefits, again wanting to adopt many clients there who she was incredibly proud of. The last job she had was working with Comfort Keepers helping those just a little older than her through their final difficult moments in life. She is survived by one brother-in-law, David Smith, and three sisters-in law, Kathryn Smith, Elizabeth Zuercher, and most importantly Helena Smith who was Lorraine’s best childhood friend and introduced Lorraine to Lowell. She is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces, all of whom she adored, and far too many friends to list. She bought a small house on High Lake, within walking distance of Peegeo’s (whose food she would swear was the best in Traverse City) and remodeled it into her dream house. It was on the lake that she grew fond of her flowers, fresh grown vegetables, and the abundance of wildlife, including hawks, owls, and even a bald eagle that can often be seen flying above and baby Canadian geese who every year climb the hill from the wetlands and help the gardeners with keeping the grass trimmed. Her parents, William, and Margaret (Zitka) Esch, retired in Traverse City and remain here. Finally, she is survived by a most humbled and grateful son, me, Kurt Steven Smith. I could not have asked for better parents, and doubt that I have ever, or will ever, meet their equal. Both of my parents have been cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. In the late spring, or early summer, I will hopefully be having a small memorial and a spreading of their combined ashes somewhere near the Boardman River, if allowed, which was Dr. Lowell Thomas Smith’s (Traverse City State Hospital) final wish.

Lorraine Smith

April 18, 1940 - January 15, 2023