Obituary

Susan Diane Nelson Smith, 58, of Lummi Island, Washington, formerly of Frankenmuth and Livonia, Michigan, died June 28, 2013. She was the daughter of the late Roy Norris Nelson and Geraldine Clark Nelson of Livonia, Michigan and Charlotte, North Carolina. Susan was born in Omaha, Nebraska, lived in Des Moines, Iowa, and moved with her family to Livonia as a young teenager. She graduated from Bentley High School in 1973, where she demonstrated her many talents through academic achievement, cheerleading, athletics and choir. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from The University of Michigan-Dearborn and a Juris Doctorate from The University of Detroit. Soon after her graduation she was employed with the law firm of Cummings, McClorey, Davis and Acho in Livonia.

Susans family life took her to many communities, from Mexico to Vancouver and several states in between, in which she was well known and well loved. Her world revolved around her commitment and caring for others, particularly her life long friends, family and beloved daughter. She contributed her time and talents to the Girl Scouts, the local school systems, her church and a variety of other charitable organizations.

She is survived by her husband Layle Kiplind (Kip) Smith and daughter Susan Jensena (Jenni) Smith of Seattle, Washington. Other surviving relatives include her brother Randy Nelson and his wife Carolyn of Charlotte, NC, sister Joyce Nelson of Livonia, MI, nephew Allen Nelson and his wife Amy of Charlotte, NC, niece Jodie Nelson Dunn, her husband MacRae and son Bode, of Wilmington, NC, special aunt Cathy Nelson of Minneapolis, MN, and several loving cousins.

Farewell Tribute Information

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at 3 pm at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 30650 Six Mile Road in Livonia, Michigan. The family will receive friends in the narthex of Holy Cross at 2 pm prior to the service and a reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall of the church. A private interment service will be held for the family. A memorial service will also be held on Sunday, July 14, 2013 at 2 pm at the Lummi Island Congregational Church at 3913 Legoe Bay Road, Lummi Island, Washington. Donations Information

To continue her commitment to others, in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Alzheimers Association.