Suzanne's Obituary
Suzanne F. Smith, 83, of Monticello, passed away at Alaska Regional Hospital on August 10, 2023, while visiting family on an Anchorage, Alaska trip.
She was born September 8, 1939, in South Bend, Indiana to the late Raymond W. and Mildred G. (Sinn) Metcalfe.
Suzanne graduated from John Adams High School, in South Bend, at 16 years old and then earned her bachelor's degree in education from Indiana University.
Her marriage of 59 years was to L. Dennis Smith on June 10, 1961, at the First Presbyterian Church in South Bend. Dennis preceded her in death on March 29, 2021.
Besides being a great mom, Suzanne was the woman behind the scenes hosting events and fundraisers to support the universities and her husband’s career. Her husband, Dennis, was an accomplished professor, researcher and school administrator at Purdue University, the University of California Irvine, and President of Nebraska University for 10 years; all the while, Suzanne would help support, host, and successfully entertain a few to hundreds of individuals, at functions and events. She truly was the glue that held their family together.
She enjoyed church and was an active member, even singing in the choir, at Central Presbyterian Church, Lafayette, Indiana, Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church in Southern California, Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church in Naples, FL and most recently at First Presbyterian Church in Monticello. As Jesus’ brother, James, wrote about in his book, she showed others her faith by her works.”
Suzanne was a lifelong Cubs fan. She was an avid golfer, including memberships at the Elks Lodge in West Lafayette, Sand Hills Golf Club in Mullen, Nebraska and Vanderbilt Country Club of Naples. Suzanne and her family enjoyed college football and basketball during their time at the universities; anytime Notre Dame was involved she would don her Notre Dame beanie tell everyone that would listen, “Never bet against the Irish”; a statement that turned out to be true more often than not.
Surviving are her two children, Lauren K. Payne (husband: Steve) of Jacksonville, NC and R. Bradley Smith (wife: Janet) of Hilliard, OH; and a sister, Judith Props (husband: Kent) of West Lafayette. Suzanne cherished her grandchildren, Tommy, Sarah, Joshua, and Rebekah.
Preceding her in death with her parents and husband is a brother, Robert Metcalfe.
Friends may call from 10:30 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Hartzler-Clapper Funeral Home of Brookston (101 West 4th Street); Rev. Dr. Lelan D. McReynolds to officiate. Entombment to follow at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens Cemetery of West Lafayette, IN.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Share memories and online condolences at www.clapperfuneralservices.com
