Martha I. Smith

In Loving Memory of Martha

Some lives seem to come full circle in a way that feels almost meant to be. Martha’s was one of them. Born on August 20th, Martha peacefully passed away on her 90th birthday, surrounded by the family she loved so dearly. Her remarkable 90-year journey was filled with family, friendship, hard work, faith, adventure, and above all, love.

Martha was born in Wyandotte, Michigan, where the foundation of her long and beautiful life began. She graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School and later attended Eastern Michigan University. She worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield before a blind date changed the course of her life. On that date, she met her beloved Everett Smith. The two were married on September 7, 1957, beginning a life and partnership together.

Smart, independent, dedicated, and hardworking. Everett and Martha were co-owners of Clyde Smith and Sons Greenhouse, where she worked until her retirement. It was fitting that flowers and growing things became such a part of her life. Years later, her own deck always resembled a postcard from a botanical garden, overflowing with bright, beautiful colors.

She loved to travel and especially enjoyed cruising. Among her most memorable adventures was a cruise with her sister Suzanne to South America, the Falkland Islands, and Antarctica where they saw amazing penguins. Debbie and Diane’s favorite family memories include snowmobiling up north, trips to Marathon, Florida in the winter and camping in their travel trailer. Through every adventure and every season of her life, one thing remained constant: family. She expressed her love in countless ways, including through the things she made with her own hands. Martha loved to knit and shared her special creations with those she loved. She was also famous among family and friends for her chocolate chip cookies and coconut tea squares. Requests for another batch were frequent, and Martha lovingly obliged.

She loved playing cards and just about any game that could bring family and friends together around the dining room table. For Martha, the game itself may have been part of the fun, but the people sitting around that table were what truly mattered.

She remembered the moments that mattered to others, too. Birthdays, weddings, graduations, bridal showers, baby showers, and family celebrations were important to Martha because the people being celebrated were important to her. Martha also gave her time generously beyond her family. She served for many years as a Girl Scout troop leader and volunteered for numerous programs throughout her life. An active member of NorthrRidge Church, she served as a greeter for church services, an usher for the Glory of Christmas and was involved with the MOPS program. Her faith, service, and willingness to give of herself were simply additional expressions of the woman she was.

Perhaps one of the most beautiful glimpses into Martha’s heart could be found in the room where she ended each day. Her bedroom walls and furniture were filled with photographs of family members, celebrations, milestones, vacations, and memories collected across nine decades. She literally went to sleep each night surrounded by the faces and memories of the people she loved most. Those photographs told her story. Martha’s legacy cannot be measured simply by the number of years she lived. It lives in the people she loved and the traditions she created.

She leaves behind a family who will miss her deeply, but who were extraordinarily fortunate to have been loved by her. Martha was the devoted mother of two daughters, Debra (Joe) Barson and Diane (Steve) Ursitti whose lives reflect the love, guidance, and strength instilled in them by their mother. She was a treasured grandmother to Jennifer (Ted) Boehm, Chad (Heidi) Barson, Eric (Sarah) Ursitti, and Allison (Matt) Langille. Martha’s love extended to her great-grandchildren as she celebrated the joy they brought her: Ben Boehm, Daisy Boehm, Crew Langille, Charlie Langille, Colbie Langille, and Mila Ursitti.

Family was always central to Martha’s life. She shared a deep and abiding bond with her brother, John (JoAnn) Pattison, and her sister, Suzanne Pattison. The close-knit connections she maintained with her siblings were a testament to her loving spirit and generous heart. Her love extended to many nieces and nephews.

Martha was preceded in death by her loving husbands, Everett Smith and Donald Day. Their memories remained close to her heart throughout her life, and she honored them by fostering the same warmth and devotion within her growing family.

There is something beautifully fitting about the way Martha’s journey ended. The woman who placed such importance on birthdays and the milestones of the people she loved reached one final milestone of her own. Ninety years after her life began, Martha peacefully completed her journey on the very same day it started leaving behind a lifetime of love that no ending could ever take away. A full circle. A life well lived.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at NorthRidge Church, located at 49555 North Territorial Rd, Plymouth, MI 48170. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon at the same location.

Those who wish to honor the memory of Martha I. Smith are invited to consider a donation to Angela Hospice or NorthRidge Church. Contribution envelopes will be available at the church.