Dorothy Cora Emma Smith , 101, of Evergreen, Colorado and formerly of Groton, Connecticut and Freeport, Illinois, passed away Friday March 8, 2019.  Born in Freeport, Illinois October 30, 1917 to Frank and Helen (Bauscher) Smith, Dorothy married LeRoy Arthur Smith, also of Freeport, on February 15, 1936.

Dorothy was a loving homemaker for LeRoy and their two children. She believed it was very important to provide nutritious meals for her family.  Dorothy later worked in retail sales (Penneys and Holts) and the payroll department at Modern Plating Company in Freeport.

Dorothy was a member of Bethany United Church of Christ.  She was also a member of Freeport Audubon Society and was fond of accumulating bird pictures and collectibles.  Her nursing home had an indoor aviary and wild bird feeders just outside her window.  In addition to bird watching she enjoyed music, playing cards and traveling to see beautiful scenery and her many family members as they moved across the country.  She attended music concerts by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren up to her 101st birthday.  Dorothy was the family historian. Her many letters were full of news of family and of Freeport.  Dorothy loved playing 500 and was in a "girls" card club for over 50 years.

In 2007 she moved to Connecticut to be near her daughter and son-in-law.  Ten years later at age 99, she moved with her daughter to Colorado where she said: "I always wanted to live in Colorado."

Dorothy's parents, her husband, three siblings, Paul Smith, Frances (Philip) Barrara and Louise (Norman) Schweder and her son Arthur all predeceased her.   She is survived by a daughter, Laraine (Don) Meyers of Evergreen, Colorado and daughter-in-law Ann (Carpenter) Smith of Freeport.  She is also survived by six grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to time of service at Bethany United Church of Christ in Freeport.  A service of remembrance and thanksgiving will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday March 23, 2019, with the Rev. Ted Michaelson officiating.  Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements were completed by Walker Mortuary.

Please view and sign the family guest book at www.walkermortuary.com