Tillie (Stoll) Smith

Tillie Stoll Smith, born July 10, 1918, in Mayville, Michigan to Peter and Emily Stoll, passed away peacefully June 6, 2021 in Petoskey, Michigan where she resided for the last 9 years. She lived through the greatest century of human change in our culture.

She is survived by her daughter, Sharon (Bruce) Ashley and son Larry (Becky) Smith; three loving granddaughters, Wendy Whitesell of NYC, Cara and Kelsey Smith of Harbor Springs, as well as many nieces and nephews.  

She married Donald Smith of Lapeer who predeceased her in 2008. They enjoyed a 68 year marriage building their lives in Lapeer, later retiring to the upper peninsula’s Hiawatha Club and Naples, Florida. She loved golf (having achieved two holes in one), nature, flowers, painting, art of all kinds, teaching art, boating, skiing, travel (both US and internationally) and always stayed abreast of local and national news. She maintained a daily email ritual with family and friends until very recently.

Tillie was a lifelong Christian honoring her Lutheran heritage to the very end.  A private graveside service memorializing her good and long life will be held in Lapeer officiated by Pastor Helms of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church where she was baptized, confirmed, married, baptized her two children, and memorialized both parents. She will be dearly missed.

Contributions in Tillie’s memory may be made to the Christ Child Society of Northern Michigan (PO Box 132 or 192 Third Street, Harbor Springs, MI 49740) or St. Paul's Lutheran Church (90 Millville Road, Lapeer, MI 48446).