Evelyn Marie Smith

Smith, Evelyn Marie – May 31, 2026, age 96 of Garden City. Beloved wife of the late Joseph J. Smith. Loving mother of Karl (Kim) Smith, Laura (Randy Walter) Smith, Maryalice (Mike) Schmidt, and David (Kathy) Smith. Proud grandmother of Kristine (Michael) Fidanza, Kyle Smith, Jarrett Schmidt, and Lindsey (Donny) Griffith and great-grandmother of Brooklyn Schmidt, Evelyn Griffith, Lorelai Griffith, Greyson Zwar, Leo Anthony Fidanza, and Declan Griffith. Beloved daughter of the late August and the late Anna Haase. Dear sister of Thomas (Kathy) Haase and the late Donald (the late Delores) Haase. Also leaves many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and extended family members. A cradle Catholic, Evelyn had a great devotion to Mary and had an abiding love for her son Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar. As a young girl growing up in Detroit, she danced, played piano, and figure skated. She enjoyed roller-skating with her father and learned the game of baseball from him. She became an avid Detroit Tigers fan, and Mother’s Day was often celebrated at Comerica Park if the Tigers were in town. She enjoyed listening to music from the 40’s and 50’s but was also an Elvis fan. She had hundreds of old movies that she loved to watch, particularly John Wayne movies. Evelyn loved playing bingo and visiting casinos all over Michigan. She made annual trips to Cross In The Woods, the Mackinac Bridge, and Frankenmuth. She was famous for her “Jewish Coffee Cake” which she brought to birthdays and holidays. Evelyn got the most pleasure from family outings and trips. She took us to Cedar Point every year as kids. As adults, we traveled together out West, and to Disney World, and to Porcupine Mountains in caravans of 4-5 vehicles. When Dad was alive, they loved to visit zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and many other attractions. We dubbed them the “King and Queen” of the one-tank trip. A grandniece described her as a “super cool spunky lady” and she will be greatly missed by her family, neighbors, friends, and Bingo players. Visitation Friday, June 5th 1-8 PM with Scripture Service at 7 PM at Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, 980 N. Newburgh Road (between Ford Road and Cherry Hill) Westland. In state on Saturday June 6th from 9:30 AM until 10 AM Funeral Mass at St. Aidan Catholic Church, 17500 Farmington Road in Livonia. Interment Mt. Hope Memorial Gardens in Livonia. To share a memory, please use the Share a Memory tab on this website.

Evelyn Marie Smith

July 22, 1929 - May 31, 2026