Gentle, gracious, and nurturing are just a few of the words that come to mind when reflecting on the life of Marilyn Smith. She was a hardworking woman who wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty while keeping busy both in and outside her home as well as in the workforce. Marilyn treasured her roles as a wife and mother, but she just may have argued that becoming a grandmother was her greatest gift.

Second only to her family was the love she had for Elvis as she certainly was his number one fan. A longtime resident of the community she loved, there was no one who met Marilyn and left unchanged. She was famous for her peach cobbler and her homemade pizza, and as her family and friends can attest, no one ever left her table hungry. Life will never be the same without her here, but her timeless legacy will be proudly carried on by those who follow in her footsteps.

The 1930s were some of the most trying days we have faced as a nation as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. Although jobs were scarce and the unemployment rate soared, there was proof that the American spirit couldn’t be broken as it was during this time that the New York skyline was transformed with the completion of both the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building while work continued on Mount Rushmore during this time as well.

Amidst this exciting time was a time of great anticipation in the lives of Floyd and Opal (Bowen) Murphy as they were eagerly anticipating the birth of their new baby as the cool winds of fall settled on the city of Albion, in 1936. Their wait was over on Nov. 12 when the baby girl they named Marilyn Rose made her arrival in Jefferson Township of Noble County. She was one of five children in her family and was raised in the family home alongside her brothers, Eldon, Alvin, and Freedom, and her sister, Pat. Shortly after her youngest brother was born, Marilyn’s family was given a difficult pill to swallow when her mother died unexpectedly. As a result, Marilyn helped care for the family from that point forward.

In many ways Marilyn was a young girl of her generation. She attended schools through the Albion school system, and it was while in high school that she met the man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Walter Smith, and they met while hanging out at the courthouse square, which was the thing to do back then. He was two years her senior, and they began dating not long after they met. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, the sweethearts were married on June 6, 1954, at her parents’ home, shortly after Marilyn finished high school.

After being married, Marilyn and Walter decided they were ready to become parents. Within a year Gary was born, and he was later followed by Debbie, Dale, Paula, and Pam. Marilyn focused her time and attention at home, caring for her home and family, but she also helped with the family farm. In fact, it was not uncommon to see her on a tractor or driving the grain trucks around. In addition, she worked at Dexter Axle in the late sixties through the mid seventies to help support her family. Marilyn put in 12 hour days there and then came home to do the farm chores and take care of her family.

Although there was a time and place for hard work in Marilyn’s life, she also made time to enjoy life along the way. Both she and her husband rode motorcycles and belonged to the Tri-State Motorcycle Club out of Butler, Indiana. On one occasion Marilyn even rode her Honda 200 down to Florida for a trip. Together she and Walter also belonged to the Eagles in Albion where they loved to dance and take the family on the Eagles Picnic outings when their children were younger. In addition, Marilyn was also a big supporter in everything that her husband and children were a part of including the tractor pulls that her husband and son participated in. Her voice always stood out from all the rest, and one never wanted to be sitting close by when she whistled!

In 1979, Marilyn and Walter moved to Churubusco where she remained until 2006 when she moved back to Albion to live with her daughter, Paula. In 1980, she started working at the Magic Wand restaurant in Churubusco where she became known far and wide for her peach cobbler. Over the years she was able to work with various family members there including her daughters and grandchildren. Sadly, a stroke in 1999 left her unable to work at the restaurant any longer, however, she continued to delight her family with her amazing cooking skills. Of course her cobbler was a favorite, but both her cheese ball and her homemade pizza were to die for. When she made a pizza she never skimped on the cheese or the fresh ingredients, either. A few of Marilyn’s family members were lucky enough to have her share her tips, tricks, and recipes so they can recreate her dishes for years to come. Of course she always made enough to feed a crowd, too, as she never wanted anyone to leave her house hungry.

Throughout her life there was nothing Marilyn loved more than being with her family. She adored her grandchildren, and she was there to support them in everything they did, and again her voice was impossible to miss. A close second to her family was Marilyn’s love for her Elvis, although there were times that her family wondered if it was the other way around! She was thrilled beyond measure to see Elvis live in Fort Wayne one time, and anytime that Elvis was mentioned or she received any Elvis memorabilia her smile lit up the room. In addition, Marilyn belonged to the Brent Cooper Fan Club, a famous Elvis impersonator.

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Marilyn Smith was a blessing to everyone she met. She lived to serve others, and her devotion to her family and friends was unmatched. Marilyn was never one to worry about building wealth or gaining possessions, rather, she made it her life’s focus to give in abundance to all who were within her reach. She will be deeply missed and never forgotten.

Marilyn Rose Smith, of Albion, died at 12:50 p.m. Friday, March 20, 2015, at North Ridge Village Nursing in Albion. Marilyn’s family includes her children: Gary Smith, Avilla; Debbie Holden, Albion; Dale Smith, Albion; and Paula (Tommy) Smith, Albion; sister: Pat (Delbert) Uhl, Albion; brother: Freedom (Rita) Murphy; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Walter; daughter: Pam Smith; and brothers, Eldon Kurrle and Alvin Murphy.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday with Certified Funeral Celebrant Sharon Brockhaus officiating. Burial will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 26, at Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam. Memorial donations may be made to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, Multiple Sclerosis Foundation or to the family.