Dorothy Ann Smith

Dorothy Ann Smith

October 22, 1927 - May 21, 2026

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dorothy Smith, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend. She left this world peacefully, surrounded by family at home.

Dorothy lived a full and adventurous life. She was born to Philip and Cora Hirmer (Lens) in Marshall, Minnesota, in 1927. She grew up with a large family, including eleven brothers and sisters. She embraced her independence at an early age, leaving home to work as a waitress, make new friends, ride in convertibles, and dance joyfully to the sounds of Elvis and Doris Day. She welcomed two children into the world, Dan Horstman and Mary Katherine Knutson. In 1957, she married her husband, John Arthur Smith, Sr. and they had four children together: Barbara (Bates), John Jr., Michael, and Matthew.

In the early 1960s, Dorothy and John moved their family from Northern California to Spokane, WA. Dorothy was a devoted wife and attentive mother. She kept an exceptionally clean home, served as a Camp Fire leader, baked cookies every Saturday, and sold Avon products on the side.

In 1969, Dorothy's husband passed away unexpectedly, leaving Dorothy with four children under the age of 10. Dorothy worked hard as a single mother, enrolled her children in parochial school, learned to drive, and acquired a license. She was employed as a nursing assistant and cabinetmaker. In her free time, she practiced the arts - She had a beautiful embroidery stitch, a love of crafts, and a passion for painting. As she grew older, she loved word searches, crossword puzzles, and collecting Precious Moments figurines.

Dorothy and her family lived in the Hillyard neighborhood for almost 50 years. The doors of her home were open to friends and family alike and served as a gathering place for her kids and their friends to practice and blast their music. In her early retirement years, she volunteered at C.O.P.S. Northeast, help to make the community she loved a better place.

Dorothy held her faith and relationship with God very close to her heart. She was an active member of Saint Patrick's Catholic Church in Hillyard and served as a Eucharistic Minister for many years. As a child she prayed the Rosary with her family after dinner every night, and in her latest years, this devotion returned - praying the Rosary became a staple of her nightly routine.

Dorothy was a core member of her family, and her love for them was unquestionable. She was always just a phone call away. She would willingly provide a listening ear or warm shelter to any loved one in need. Helping to raise her youngest granddaughter, Jackee, kept her spunky throughout her 98 years.

Special thanks to Geneva Hospice and Sarah Murphy and their care of mom.

Dorothy is survived by five of her children, ten grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, sisters Cornelia DeCock, Catherine Louwagie, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, her son, John, her parents, and eight of her siblings: Philip, Alfred, Francis (Weldon), Bernard, Leonard, John, Robert, and Mary Ellen (Gorrell).

Dorothy was a fun-loving wild child and a stable refuge. She was an inspiration in her welcoming attitude, smile, strong will, wits, and perseverance. Her capacity to forgive and move forward was an example of a mother's love and an extension of God's grace. Her unending love and steadfast faith remain a beacon of hope for us all.