Dena Smith

A gentle and gracious woman who was content in all things, Dena Smith touched the lives of those around her in such a significant way. She had the most striking brown eyes that simply sparkled, and her heart was genuine and true. Dena made caring for her family her main focus in life and considered it both her highest calling and greatest privilege to be a wife, mother, and grandmother. Christmas was always such a special time of year when Dena was around, and her door was always open to everyone. She gave the best advice, and other times she just listened as her concern for others was unmatched. Life will never be the same without Dena here, but her legacy will live on in the hearts and lives of those who follow her.

The 1920s were a vibrant time in America when we witnessed the all-time peak of Broadway, the emergence of baseball as our nation’s favorite pastime, and new radio stations hitting the airwaves in cities from coast to coast like never before. Nestled within this colorful time was the year 1922 that brought great joy to one young couple from Grand Rapids, Michigan, as they welcomed the birth of a healthy baby girl on September 12th. Dena Martha was the eighth of nine children born to her parents, Peter and Elizabeth (Vander Werf) Suttorp. Her first six siblings were born in the Netherlands, but her father was determined to bring his family to America in search of a better life a few years before Dena was born.

In many ways Dena experienced a typical upbringing. Her family had little during the days of the Great Depression, but they held fast to each other as they weathered the storm. Throughout her life Dena remained close with her siblings, and they had regular visits with each other every Wednesday and Saturday for over 65 years. As kids they had fun doing simple things like riding bikes, sledding, playing with relatives, and visiting beautiful Grand Haven. Dena went to Harrison Park Elementary School and loved to play baseball as a teen. In fact, it was on the ball field that she met the man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Theodore “Ted” Smith, and after they both got a bit older they began dating.

Dena married her sweetheart on October 5, 1940, deeply in love. They started their family right away with the births of two children before Ted was sent overseas during WWII. Upon his return their family grew to include three more girls. Tragically, Teddy was hit by a car and died in 1947 when he was just four years old. They did the best they could to move on while holding him close to their hearts forever.

From the moment she became a mother Dena fully immersed herself in the role. She stayed home to care for her family and their home, and although she kept a tidy home she also allowed it to be lived in, creating a welcoming environment for anyone and everyone. In fact, throughout Dena’s life people were forever dropping by for a visit. Everything that came out of her kitchen was extraordinary, and since Ted liked a hearty meal of meat and potatoes that is often what she made. Dena was proud of her children, and she was always there to defend them when the need arose. Although she loved them equally, she mastered the ability of making each of her children feel special in their own unique way.

Christmas was a magical time in Dena’s home. It was her favorite time of year, and as a child of the 1930s she learned that Christmas is not about expensive gifts, but that it is about having fun with those you love, making memories that can only be called priceless. Dena’s house was the gathering place on Christmas morning, and her home was always beautifully decorated and filled with homemade baked goods that were made with an abundance of love. She loved taking her time shopping for just the right gift for everyone.

There were numerous things that enriched Dena’s life through the years. She treasured the close friendships of a few lifelong friends in addition to the relationships she had with her family. Dena kept busy sewing and was known to make a few sets of curtains in her day. She preferred to be inside at home rather than outside, and she enjoyed reading her daily newspaper and watching television.

A bit later in life Dena was thrilled to become a grandmother. For many years she saw her grandchildren on Saturday mornings, and the thing their grandchildren loved most was that they were allowed to just be kids when they came for a visit. Dena and Ted were never concerned about noise, but were more focused on just letting their grandchildren play.

As her mobility became more limited, Dena and Ted enjoyed playing cards, usually rummy. She helped care for Ted during the last few years of his life until his death in August of 2011. As her health problems became more prominent, Dena moved to Villa Maria about six months ago where she truly enjoyed her new environment.

To know Dena Smith was to love her as she was truly one of a kind. Her friends and family knew that she called things as she saw them, which at times was so entertaining. Described as spontaneous and spunky, people were naturally drawn to Dena, and she was outgoing and bubbly to boot. Although their marriage was not without times of trial, Dena and Ted exemplified what marriage is truly intended to be. She lived a simple and frugal life as a woman who knew what it meant to live well within her means. A blessing to many, Dena will be deeply missed while her memory is forever cherished.

Mrs. Dena M. Smith, age 90 of Grand rapids, passed away on November 27, 2012. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted, in 2011; their son, Teddy Smith; two brothers and three sisters. Dena is survived by their daughters, Betty (Tom) Dygert of Brownsburg, IN, Marie (Tom) Agnello of Comstock Park, Susan Healy of Grand Rapids, and Janice (Chuck Eyster) Farran of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Todd (Ronda) Dygert, Lori (John) Medjeski, David Dygert, Emily (Keith) Foster, Cathy (John) Pyper, and Andy (Jenny) Tomaszewski; and 14 great-grandchildren; sisters Elizabeth Annis and Mary Smith; brother, Don Suttorp, and several nieces and nephews. Her family would like to extend a special thank you to the blue shirts and staff of Villa Maria Retirement Community where mom lived the last six months. A service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, December 1 at 11 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW where friends may visit with her family on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Faith Hospice are appreciated. To read more about Dena's life, to share a favorite memory or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.lifestorynet.com