Anna R. (Vilenski) Smith

Anna Rosalie Smith, longtime Cheboygan resident, passed away on June 28, 2021, at the age of 95.

She was born on February 17, 1926, in Cheboygan to Oscar Leo VanSlembrouck and Anna Marie Rocheleau.

Anna married her high school sweetheart, Kyron Daniel Vilenski, on May 14, 1946.  They had five children and were married 28 years until his death in 1974.

 On February 18, 1985, Anna married Earl Wayland Smith Jr. They shared many travel adventures together until his death in 1998.

She was known for her quick wit and sense of humor, and was a strong, creative, independent woman with a zest for life.

Anna had a variety of skills and held numerous jobs in Cheboygan, starting at the age of 12 for the Hackmatack, a waitress at the Hut, working as a telephone operator during WWII, a school cafeteria kitchen worker, a dental hygienist, a gas station manager, and a secretary at the Intermediate School office.  In addition, she was a member of a pool club and was always up for a game of Canasta.

Anna was also a talented artist from a young age, and an accomplished painter most of her adult life.

Surviving Anna are her five children, Daniel (Mary) Vilenski, Gerald (Barbara) Vilenski, Michael (Clare) Vilenski, Martha (Tim) Grobaski and Brian (Kelley) Vilenski; a sister, Theresa Bruner; seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by husbands, Kyron Vilenski and Earl Smith Jr., and siblings Alice Galbraith, Elda Weber, Lucille Vogel, Allen VanSlembrouck and Donald VanSlembrouck.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the McLaren Hospital staff, Dr. Catherine Zimmerman and the Family Fare Pharmacy.  A special thank you goes to her friends and helpers at Newport Village Apartments.  

A memorial service is will take place at the Nordman-Christian Funeral Home on Friday, July 23 at 11:00 AM with the family greeting friends beginning 10:00 AM.   

Anna loved gardening, so, in lieu of flowers, a memorial suggestion would be a donation to the Seedums Garden Club of Cheboygan. 

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