Rosemary (Rosie) Theresa Smith (90) passed away peacefully on January 19th, 2024 with her children and husband at her bedside. Rosie was born on September 17th, 1933 into the family of Ernest and Martha Pohl as the 8th of 10 children. She was raised on the family farm in Beal City, Michigan, where she acquired the work ethic, compassion and family values that would forever mark her character and affect the countless people around her.
As a Beal City High cheerleader, 16-year-old Rosie dated a basketball player from rival Weidman High. Two years after graduating as the class of 1951’s salutatorian, she wed her athlete Richard (Dick) Smith and they began their 70 beautiful years of marriage together.
Three years later, they found a new home in AuGres, Michigan, where Dick was hired as a history teacher, basketball, baseball and track coach. They drove there with their six-month-old daughter on the front seat of a ’53 Chevy, pulling a 41-foot trailer. In AuGres, Rosie accepted the challenge of raising their daughter and then their four sons! In addition to parenting, cooking, sewing, cleaning, and gardening, Rosie also found time to work as a teacher’s aide, librarian and eventually school secretary while Dick was promoted to school principal and athletic director. Countless students remember her positive support, understanding and the tireless work she provided the school, students and athletic teams.
Rosie’s everlasting and greatest love was for her family. She attended every event that their five kids and then their grandkids participated in. She was unwavering in her support of helping the kids practice lay-ups, free throws and batting. She even helped coach some of their teams. She was proud that all five kids achieved college degrees. She supported them with weekly care packages of “Rose Chips”, which became a coveted commodity amongst the kids’ college friends. Rosie was an avid seamstress and knitter, creating more than an estimated 200 pairs of socks over the years. She was also a passionate sports fan and watched every athletic event at AuGres-Sims, every Spartan and Tigers’ game. Even heaven had to wait for the recent Lions playoff win!
Rosie is survived by her husband Dick, her children Pam Heinrich (Rick) of AuGres, Michigan, Mark (Jane) of Pocatello, Idaho, Brian (Karen) of Eden, Utah, and Scott (Sammie) of Jackson, Wyoming, her 8 grandchildren: Elliott, Kelsey, Sage, Makenna, Rosie, Parker, Sam, Hana and Elle; and three great grandchildren: Miles, Fitz and Jackson. She is also survived by her sister Delores (Jim) Epple, in-laws Ernestine and Roselynn Pohl, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Rosie was preceded in death by her parents Ernest and Martha, siblings Donald, Raymond, Richard, Howard, Gerald, Maxine, Melvin, Mary, and her son Jeff. Rosie’s family will receive friends at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in AuGres on Tuesday January 23rd from 4-7pm.
A funeral mass will be celebrated Wednesday January 24th at 11am with visitation prior at 10am. She will be laid to rest at Linwood Cemetery in AuGres with a luncheon following at the Edmunds Inn in AuGres. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation for the loving care and compassion provided by the staff at Eden Fields Assisted Living in Standish and the Care Team Hospice staff.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Wolverine Pride Athletic Association affiliated with AuGres-Sims school.
