Dorothy (Dottie) Christi Chute Smith, 69, of Gilbert, AZ passed away October 4, 2021. She finished her battle against ALS, and joined her savior. She was the wife of Greg Smith, sharing 35 wonderful years of marriage together.
She was born in Philadelphia on May 1, 1952. She moved to the Detroit area as a child, and was raised in Huntington Woods and Harsens Island, MI. She graduated from Berkeley High School, attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO, and graduated from Michigan State with a degree in Ichthyology. She worked for Marine Pollution Control in Detroit on oil spill and cleanup, and returned to Michigan State to study Environmental Engineering. She worked for environmental consulting companies in both the Detroit area and in Buffalo, NY. She worked as an Environmental Engineer for Olin Corporation in Niagara Falls, NY where she met her husband Greg.
Dorothy left industry to raise her two sons. She spent the next 8 years in Buffalo, NY, and then moved with her husband and family to Bethlehem, PA, Rockford, IL and finally Gilbert, AZ. She was an active member of Gilbert Presbyterian Church since her move to Arizona in 1995. She taught Sunday School, served on various committees, and was both a Deacon and Elder.
After her two boys grew up, she returned to the workforce with Gilbert Public Schools. Dorothy was a substitute teacher, and worked in pre-school programs in the district. She finished her career at Highland High School where she was with the Agriculture Department and was active with the Future Farmers of America organization.
Dorothy is survived by her husband Greg, sons Brian of Kanab, UT and Andrew (Pam) of Huntington Beach, CA. She is also survived by her sister Donna (Gordon) Green of Cuba, NY, brother in law Brad (Tracie) Smith of Sherman, NY, sister in law Penny Chute of McCormick, SC, as well as aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Richard Chute and Joan Osgood Chute, and by her brother Richard E Chute.
Dorothy was an avid reader and crafter. She spent over 20 years with her book club, a group of friends reading, discussing, crafting, and talking about families and friends. Some of the group left the small Gilbert community and some returned, but they all remained dear friends. Dorothy and her husband also caught the camping bug later in life. They travelled to and camped at several National Parks and Monuments in the West, always looking for unique local history.
Dorothy participated in a Phase 3 Clinical Trial with Barrow Neurological and the Healy Center for an experimental medication for the treatment of ALS. She hoped the trial would advance the effort to find a cure for this disease.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, November 13, at Gilbert Presbyterian Church, 235 E Guadalupe Rd, Gilbert, AZ.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the ALS Association-Arizona Chapter, 360 E Coronado Rd, Ste 140, Phoenix, AZ 85004, or to Gilbert Presbyterian Church.
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