Marilyn E. Smith, age 81, passed away September 24, 2024 after several years in memory care.

The only child of Thelma and Don Wright, Marilyn was born May 4, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan. Marilyn enjoyed a childhood filled with travel, trips to lakes with family and friends, and the love of her adoring parents. Her daughters remember her talking often of her childhood best friend, Arden, and their adventures together; they remained close friends for decades.

After graduating from high school, Marilyn attended Albion College. As a Fulbright Scholar she traveled to Guatemala in 1965, living with a host family for one year and studying Spanish languages and literature. The friendships she created there lasted for many years. Upon graduation from Albion, Marilyn continued her studies at Indiana University where she met Al Smith, who, like her, was pursuing a Master’s degree in Spanish. Their love of the Spanish language, teaching, and ultimately of each other, led to their marriage in 1967.

Marilyn enjoyed a short stint as a junior high school Spanish teacher until the birth of her two daughters, when she decided to stay home during their early years. She missed working, however, and moved away from teaching, venturing into the world of libraries, volunteering at her children’s school library and becoming a coordinator of her church library. Her newfound passion led her to pursue a Master’s of Library Science (MLS) in 1984 from the University of Michigan, and she began a career with the Farmington Community Library that would span 27 years. She loved working with people in the community, enjoyed her coworkers and was dedicated to making the library a wonderful part of the community.

Her retirement years were busy ones, traveling with Al for his job, and caring for her own mother, all the while remaining a devoted grandma to Cortney, Paige and Harrison. Later, she unwaveringly cared for her husband when he became ill.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her loving husband of 51 years. She is survived by her two daughters, Amy Greenberg (Brad) and Lisa Rose (Michael), three grandchildren, and two great grandsons, Benjamin and Levi.

A private committal service will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Farmington Community Library in Marilyn's name.