Margaret Smith

August 19, 1928 - August 26, 2021

Margaret Smith. Age 93. Margaret passed away on Thursday, August 26, 2021. Beloved wife of the late William Smith. Loving Mother of Mark (Emma), Terence (Michele), Robert (Lihui), Philip and Margaret. Cherished Grandmother of Joanne (Jeanette), Caroline (Paul), Joseph, Terence, Madeleine, Charlotte, Abigail (Alex), Taylor, Samantha, Markie (Mark), Alexis, Shelby, and Dongyu. Great Grandmother of Alice, Greta, Quinn, Oz and Lynnly. Dearest Daughter of the late Robert and Elizabeth Killeya. Beloved Sister of the late Alice Howarth, Lily Henig and Terence Killeya. Margaret Killeya Smith was born in her beloved hometown of Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, England. She came to the states as a determined 20-year-old, and soon embraced her adopted country while never forgetting her British roots. Margaret and her husband Bill raised five children in a modest home in Dearborn, a home she owned for 70 years. She worked for Dearborn Schools for many years, first in the cafeteria system and later as an aide to the hearing impaired. Working with those children was her passion; they brought as much happiness to her as she did to them. At one time she said her goal was to become a teacher, and felt that at some level she had achieved that. Music was one of Margaret’s great joys, and she took up ballroom dancing later in life. At one time she would go dancing three or four times a week, and made many friends in the dance community. She also enjoyed needlework of all kinds, and is remembered for knitting blankets for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. One of her crowning achievements was the publication of her life-story, “A Lass from Ozzy.” Margaret delighted in sharing her tales with others, and was quite pleased to receive royalty checks from the sale of her book. Another source of pride was learning to drive a hand-controlled car at the age of 86. When the neuropathy in her feet prevented her from driving a conventional car, Margaret took it upon herself to research options for the disabled, and obtained a special driver’s license in order to maintain her independence. Friends and family will always remember Margaret as strong, outspoken, and spirited. Granddaughter Charlotte summed it up beautifully with her contribution to “Favorite Memories of Grandma”, a list presented to Margaret on her 93rd birthday: “I am proud of this fierce survivor of a woman, and I am honored to hail from such a stubborn, smart, assertive, and independent role model.” A Memorial will take place when it is safe for all to gather once again. Please take a moment to share a memory or a story about Margaret or a leave a condolence to the Smith Family on Margaret’s Tribute Wall.