Althea J. Smith's Obituary
Althea J. Smith of Roosevelt Park passed on Sunday, April 3, 2022. Althea left her earthly body and ascended into heaven to reunite with Otto, Gera and Chip. She was born the oldest of five children on June 11, 1937, in Muskegon to Arthur and Lillian (Dean) Curow.
Althea enjoyed being a full-time wife and mother during her children's younger years. Then in the early 1970s decided to join the workforce and got a job at Paris Studio. She worked for Paris until she retired with Otto in 1992.
Althea helped with Toys for Tots and was a long-time member of the Viking Lodge. She loved going to estate sales, hiking at Hoffmaster Park with her kids and grandkids and spending time at Lake Michigan.
She was a loving mother and grandmother who loved spending time with her family and extended family. She loved having family over for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve and any other occasions she could think of.
Althea loved playing bridge with the neighborhood ladies, her Friday card games with her girlfriends and her monthly lunch dates with the class of '55 ladies.
She loved camping at the 40 with the Sesselmanns and Romseks and sitting by the fire with a toddy or two. She also loved to camp by the river and at Eistedt's property with their Viking friends.
Althea loved watching her granddaughters play in the Big Red marching band and attending Big Red football games. She also attended her grandkids' baseball, softball, football, soccer, volleyball and wrestling events. She also enjoyed watching the Mona Shores marching band and listening to Devon and Mackenzie sing in the choir.
She continued Otto's passion of watching their beloved U of M (Go Blue) football and basketball teams, along with the Detroit Tigers and Lions.
Althea and Otto were joined in marriage in 1956 and enjoyed 60 years together until Otto passed in 2016.
Survivors include her sons, Victor (Laura) Smith, Edward (Sheila) Smith, and Andrew (Julie Boucher) Smith. She was blessed with 12 grandchildren, Jason (Azure Grisson) Smith, Joshua (Brittany) Smith, Lindsay (Matt) Thompson, Gordon Joseph (Megan) Smith, Nathan (Bridget) Smith, Meaghan(Jen) Mulready, Devon (Topher Groenink) Monique, Taylor (Kyle Schwark) Smith, Amanda (Kyle Lawson) Lauher-Smith, Mackenzie (Breeze Ealy) Mulready, Mollee Mulready and Morgan (Bryce Hill) Smith; thirteen great-grandchildren, Ephraim, Remington, Ronan, Hoyt, Matthew, Brook, Olivia, Patrick, Rynlee, Oliver, Lilly, Duelly, Gabrilla and a 14th great-grandchild due in November 2022; special adopted family, Alan and Beth Ann Carson, Ben (Jenna Kemp) Carson, Julia and Jose Gonzalez and their children, Mateo, Miles and Carson; special friends, Gina and Paul Burnip and Margaret Jandt.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Otto; daughter, Geralyn; son, Otto Jr; parents; brother, Arthur; sisters, Janet and Marla.
She leaves behind to honor her memory her children, grandchildren, her brother, Cal Curow, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and her dog Milo.
The family would like to thank Harbor Hospice, especially Pam, Christin, Julie, Jordon and Arletta for helping us and taking very good care of our mom in her final days.
There will be a Celebration of Life honoring Althea on Monday, April 18, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a luncheon and maybe a toddy or two at the Viking Lodge at 3132 Lakeshore Dr, Muskegon. To honor our mother please wear spring colors.
Memorials may be made to the Viking Scholarship Fund and Viking Burn Camp.
Shoreline Memorial Services of Muskegon 231-722-5050
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