Laurie Littlefield Smith

Laurie Littlefield Smith of Ann Arbor, aged 73, passed away at her home on April 20, 2025. She is survived by her brother David Mattern and his wife Pam Wilder, cousin Robert Cass and his wife Janet, and step siblings Amy Freeman and Tim Beyer.

She was born in Ann Arbor and lived there most of her life. Both her parents, Haldon Littlefield Smith and Shirley Mattern Smith, were from long-time Michigan families. She was in the first class of Huron High School, although the building was not completed in time for her graduation. She earned a Bachelors in Independent Studies from Central Michigan University in 1974.

A skilled craftswoman, she worked at Mackinac Island State Park wearing 19th century costume and demonstrating spinning, weaving, and cooking. After she graduated college this led to her working for 10 years as a historic interpreter at Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts.

She returned to Ann Arbor in 1994 and worked at several businesses, including Zingermans and Biomedware, while she continued spinning and weaving as a side occupation and labor of love. She was dedicated to creating woven towels and other household items that were both useful and beautiful, believing that everyday items should bring as much joy as decorative art.

She had a quick wit and an amazing memory. She was the repository of generations of family stories that will be sorely missed. She loved Ann Arbor and delighted in playing tour guide to out of town guests. Her idea of a good time was a potluck meal and game of trivia with long-time friends. She also loved reading, especially science fiction.

She loved nature and enjoyed sitting outdoors and being immersed in the world. Weekly phone calls with family often involved stories about the wild turkeys outside her Ann Arbor condominium or the sounds of birds at the family cabin in Clare County, where she spent many weeks every summer. She was the main caretaker of the property and her work made the rustic cabin feel like a home.

Donations in Laurie’s memory may be made to Chippewa Watershed Conservancy, Huron Valley Humane Society, or the Farwell Area Historical Museum.