Zenia Lucero Smith, 26, of Traverse City and formerly of Las Vegas, Nevada, tragically passed away on Friday, December 12, 2025, after being struck by a vehicle while crossing the roadway.

Zenia was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, to Carlos Lucero and Kelly Jean Lies (Smith). In January of 2022, she made Traverse City her home so she could be closer to her family—something that meant everything to her. Zenia's love for her family was deep and unwavering. She often spoke with pride and reverence about her great-grandmother, Irmagard Ursula Sarah Genedle Solomon, a Holocaust survivor whose strength and resilience left a lasting impression on Zenia's life.

Zenia was grounded in her faith, which helped shape her values and guided the way she moved through the world. She was generous by nature and led with empathy, always considering the people around her. Bright, joyful, and full of life, Zenia had a way of lighting up a room with her warmth, humor, and presence. She had recently begun attending Northwestern Michigan College, studying criminal justice with aspirations of eventually earning her law degree. Her dream was simple yet powerful: to help people.

Zenia's personality was as multifaceted as it was vibrant. She loved butterflies and Disney movies, embracing beauty, wonder, and imagination. At the same time, she delighted in horror films and music of all varieties, appreciating creativity, storytelling, and expression in all its forms. She also loved tattoos, each butterfly inked on her arm representing a cherished family member close to her heart—symbols of transformation, love, and connection that mirrored her spirit.

Zenia is survived by her siblings, Sabrina Russell, Meia Medina-Lucero, and Anastasia Smith-Lucero; her father, Carlos Lucero; her grandfather, Eric Patterson (Michelle Schingler); her grandmother, Theresa Patterson; her uncles, Ernesto (Ryanne) Lucero and Calvin (Rebekah Cavender) Patterson; her loving boyfriend, Will Brabec; and many cousins whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Kelly Jean Lies (Smith), and her family finds great comfort in the belief that Zenia is once again in her mother's loving embrace, reunited and held together in peace.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Archangel Gabriel Greek Orthodox Church, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. A funeral procession will follow to Oakwood Jewish Cemetery, where Zenia will be laid to rest. A luncheon will be held afterward at Archangel Gabriel Greek Orthodox Church.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Zenia's family to assist with final expenses through the following website: https://fundafamily.com/Donation.aspx?M=25839&C=35918

Zenia's family is being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Zenia's light, laughter, and generous spirit will continue to shine through all who carry her memory. She will be forever loved and deeply missed. May her memory be eternal.

A message from Will:
Hello spirit fam. It is with the heaviest sorrow from the depths of my soul that I am writing this dedication of my love for Zen Lucero. This is not only what she would have wanted, but its apparently Gods will that the weight of this great loss might awaken those of us who've been slumbering. So often are we unaware of how God has been moving in all of our lives, and as fast as life goes by we don't always realize that there's a greater and more purposeful way to live. It's so unbelievably incomprehensible how the Lord seems to have chosen to use the precious testimony of my Zen, to speak to each of us in a unique way. At the cost of her life he chose to award us with the most valuable gift of revelation. I can tell you at least a part of where her heart was and what the ending of her life should illustrate. Her way of bringing all of us such peace and love warmed our hearts in many ways that I think she perhaps, hadn't realized. She shared the best of what she had and she knew from the intimacy of her heart, how to display a way to live that is beyond corruption or conflict. She brought resolution whenever someone turned to her in confusion, needing a safe haven until a solution could be found. I don't believe that anything could have diverted her from the way she was, because she was so strong. She knew as well how to be gentle but effective in her way of illustrating what is good and positive, and hopeful that is happening all around us. I can attest to the fact that Xenia was spiritually awake and searching for the light of truth. There can be little doubt that her heart was filled with the joy of the Lord and she was at peace this December 12th when I saw her last. Zen never pushed an agenda or tried to force her views, but being wise in her subtlety she listened to your words and the whole conclusion of a matter. However, when she spoke people were drawn absolutely by her sincerity and took notice of her graceful presence. She was a child to some and a Mother unto others, but a truer friendship could not be had. She loved justice and believed in upholding the values of family and faith. Dedicated to individuality, creativity and musical expression, Zen and I met while attending school at NMC. Her passion and focus were driven by a selfless desire to get fair and equal rights for all people regardless of money or social status. In her pursuit of a degree in Criminal Justice, Zen was doing exceptionally well this past semester. Ending with a score of 90% in her English grade she had just broken the threshold for being a student. While both working at Amazon overnights, and attending morning Edge classes at NMC, still, rather than be exhausted and rest, she chose instead to spend time with her people and you could always count on her to be there where God needed her most.
Remember that we are never granted tomorrow and that the present is a precious gift.
At the age of 26 this absolutely beautiful and priceless gift of Gods provision to me, went to be with the Lord after having been struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross a busy street. This event occurred upon hwy 31 in Traverse City Michigan. Having witnessed everything close up there can be found no blame towards anyone who was involved and at the speed the truck was going, there's little doubt that she felt any pain. I pray that those of you who had the great pleasure of her company while she was with us, would remember her for the precious and easily entreated nature that has once again reminded me to never take a single moment for granted. She showed me what real, complete, and true love genuinely looks like and I am eternally grateful for that unspeakable and wonderful, yet bittersweet time that we shared with one another as our souls were becoming melded together. At this moment she would take great comfort in the knowledge that her life and especially her death was to be used as a vehicle to bridge people together rather than tear themselves apart. Blessed are the peace-makers and Zen aka (Peaceful) was a diligent seeker of truth. She was fiercely loyal, and unconditional in her devotion to the family and friends who were very near and dear to her heart. If you were in her circle, you were favored by God because Zen reserved her time only for those she loved best. She spoke to me often of all of you, almost always in regards to your well being. Like me she always directed things for the benefit of the person and put love above money or time. Seldom is anyone given the privilege of sharing such a mutual and unhindered love with another soul as I was allowed by God to love her in a deep and immeasurable way. This virtuous woman, priceless and rare, was a miraculous testament of Gods love towards me and the many other lives she touched. Her loss leaves me both bitter and breathless. However, in honor of the love, the great trust, and the highest respect that I have for what she showed me by her actions as well as her words I know that she would tell all of us to get up and fight on. Leeetttssz gooo! She was the brightest cheerleader anyone could have asked for. Because of the devotion I feel and the immense gratitude that I have for the short duration of time we had together, I feel that it's important that we are all United in celebration of her memory because Xenia disliked division and strife, especially among her family and friends. For those of us longing and alone this holiday season I pray that you each are fortunate enough to experience such a rare and incomparable happiness. Being in service to her has brought me more joy and fulfillment, and was a far greater privilege than anyone like me could ever hope to deserve. We had an understanding that crosses beyond the limits of death or time and she drives me to pray and uplift those of you who have need of her strength because she lives on through me. She was given to us for the furthering of Gods perfect work. She believed in us, the spirit of hope shined through her every smile. Such a radiant God we must serve that could create her in such a way to be drawn to the light she saw in us, she believed in Jesus Christ all the more. I must believe that such a precious and virtuous soul, after having suffered so greatly in this life, has found an inexhaustible peace in the presence of Gods tender embrace. No soul deserves a place in Gods kingdom (where the love and light of his mercy never dim.. Free of pain or worry or disappointment,) than she. We should all know her by the fruits of the sweet and simple spirit whereby she shined in the light of the Lords high favor. She was patient and kind, compassionate, generous and grateful and 100% perfect in my eyes. Though she was just a little thing in shape and form, she had a huge personality because dynamite comes in the smallest of packages! You should all be aware that the intensity and passion that had always been there, was very much alive and evident, even until her last moment. She was greatly loved and will be dearly missed by even many of those whom may have only seen her from a distance. She has been hoping for you, enduring for you and believing in you even if you'd never spoken to her before. That's the woman she was and how I want each of us to think of her. Let us see things through her eyes as we look within for an explanation of what beautiful truth her existence has proven to be. What things did she value, and what distances would she have gone to support it? Chances are, her keen discernment was right on. Zen has left a permanent mark upon my spirit and I will always love her as I know that all of you will as well. We were absolutely and permanently committed to and for each other but also, for the betterment of the lives that God has been bringing into our circle. May God use her illustration to illuminate a way that brings each of you the joy that radiates life and light and her hopes for your future. In Jesus name we lift up our beloved Sister Zen. She was such an amazing gift to us. Thank you for everything she was and is and will forever be in the mansions of heaven and the gardens of eternal love. In Jesus name. Amen