Doris Smith

A wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother, Doris Smith devoted her life to ensuring her loved ones were well. Doris was inclusive, attentive, and nurturing. Her greatest happiness came from the simple things in life, including time with loved ones, sharing a home-cooked meal, laughs, and love. A woman who embodied her faith, Doris lived wholeheartedly, welcoming each day as a gift and enveloping others with compassion, love, and support. Cherished by many, Doris will long be remembered and so very missed.

Despite the obvious gloom of the Great Depression, the power of hope undulated in the hearts of many. With a natural drive to not just endure but thrive in the face of uncertainty, the nation continued to put one foot in front of the other to build a better future. Nowhere was there more hope for the future than in the home of Joseph and Nina Cianti as they welcomed their daughter Doris to their family on April 26, 1932, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Doris’ parents immigrated from Italy. Her father worked as a tool and die maker for Grand Rapids Brass Co., and her mother was a homemaker. Rooted in faith, the family were members of St. James Catholic Church and lived at 718 Butterworth Ave SW. When Doris was just school-aged, she and her parents stayed in Italy for one year visiting family. When they returned, Doris attended Marywood school to catch up and then moved on to St. James School. She graduated from Union High School with the class of 1950.

Doris married her classmate, Bernie Smith, on May 3, 1952, in a wedding ceremony at St. James Church. They began their 71-year marriage with a “Northern Honeymoon” in upper Michigan before returning home and living upstairs at the Cianti home on Butterworth. Bernie was enlisted in the Coast Guard when they married. Doris went out west to be with Bernie while he was stationed in Portland, Oregon, and San Diego, California. Upon his deployment during the Korean War, Doris moved back to Grand Rapids.

After Bernie was discharged and safely returned home, Doris and Bernie purchased the home Doris grew up in as her parents had built a new home. The Butterworth residence became the home they would raise their family. A wonderful mother, Doris was a steadfast, loving presence in Dave, Dan, Rick, and Judy’s lives. She was “always there” at home, cooking, taking care of their needs, and putting her family before herself. She enjoyed taking the kids to fairs, the beach, and races. She created the tradition of back-to-school shopping with each of her kids. The trip included riding the bus downtown to the store and often having lunch at the Woolworth lunch counter.

The family spent most weekends at their cottage in Barryton, and holidays were spent with extended family taking turns hosting. Doris often invited and included her mother and Bernie’s mothers to join their family doings as they both were widowed young. The family attended St. James Church, and Bernie and Doris started their own company, Great Lakes Electric. Bernie handled the labor, and Doris kept the books. Doris loved animals, and in her spare time, she loved going to the movie theater and bowling.

Before retirement, Bernie and Doris purchased a farm in Luther, Michigan, where they spent a lot of time. Once retired, Bernie spent extended time there tending the livestock. Their son Dan lived on the farm, and Doris enjoyed cross-country skiing there in the winters. Doris and Bernie enjoyed several trips to Las Vegas and visiting the casinos in Michigan.

Though the world feels far less certain in the absence of Doris’ unwavering love and companionship, we find comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in the honor of carrying her beautiful legacy of selfless devotion to others forward. In this way, we keep her spirit alive and inspiring others as she so inspired each of us.

Doris Mary (Cianti) Smith passed away on August 15, 2023. Doris was born April 26, 1932 in Grand Rapids to the late Joseph and Nina (Pompili) Cianti. She was also preceded in death by her son, Daniel Smith. Doris is survived by her husband of 71 years, Bernie C. Smith, and their children, Dave Smith, Rick (Kathy) Smith, and Judy Smith; grandchildren, Brett (Dana) Parent, Morgan (Ben) Sneller, Nina Smith, Nolan Smith, Derek Smith, and Deanna Smith; several great-grandchildren; niece, Tracy (Mike) Adams; sister-in-law, Eleanor Smith; and special friends, Bill and Alva Hirsch and Ann Wierzbicki.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, August 22, 2023, at 11 AM at Holy Spirit Church, 2230 Lake Michigan Drive NW. Friends may visit with the family Monday from 6-8 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW, and beginning at 10 AM Tuesday at church. A Rosary will be prayed Monday at 7:30 PM. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. To read more of Doris’ Life Story or leave a memory or condolence, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.