Margie E. Laverentz Smith

Margie Eileen (Laverentz) Smith, 70, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2010 at the Kansas City Hospice House with her husband right by her side. Margie’s life was a bright shining light that the world will be darker without. Margie was born in Industrial City, Missouri on April 15, 1939 to George and Opal (Sinclair) Laverentz. The youngest of five children, Margie grew up in the small town of Horton, Kansas where she met and married the love of her life, Thomas Smith. Margie and Tom shared 51 amazing years together building a family and living the life she had always dreamed.

Margie devoted her life to making a home for her family and raising their four children who were, in her words, an “endless source of pride." Margie made their house a home, one that was always full of good, comforting smells, lots of love and open to any stranger. In Margie’s home, everyone was welcome and everyone was special. Margie celebrated every holiday with an incredible passion and enthusiasm, decorating the home with such a sense of detail, care and pride that was instantly recognizable. Department store decorating teams had absolutely nothing on Margie Smith. Margie had a true love of birds and knew each and every one by name and by call. She was renowned for her quick wit, keen sense of humor and affinity for practical jokes. One of her personal favorites was hiding in the hall closet and jumping out to scare some poor unsuspecting visitor. Margie also had a gift for writing and poetry. Her family is publishing a book with a lifetime collection of her poems and short stories. Spending time with her large family of 16 in their Colorado home made for some of Margie’s most special memories. Her favorite Christmas ever was in Colorado in 2000 when it snowed Christmas day and the family went skiing and snowmobiling together. For years, her husband Tom awoke to the sounds of Margie’s flute, something that she had played since her days at Horton High School. Margie really loved going to the casinos, whether on one of her many trips to Las Vegas with her girlfriends or on her frequent overnights with her husband to the Ameristar. Margie was the ultimate party planner. Nothing made her happier than to plan a special dinner or party, leaving no detail left unattended. She set the table three days in advance, placed the centerpiece just so and executed elaborate meals with the precision and skill of a gourmet chef. And Margie was always the life of the party. She brought great laughter and joy to everyone around her—both to those who knew her a lifetime and those who only knew her for a moment. Laughter and fun were her remedies. Friends called Margie “Funny Girl” for this special gift that instantly brought smiles to all those around her. Margie fought a nearly three-year battle with cancer with the kind of courage, strength and sense of humor that simply amazed everyone around her. She was rich in friends and was championed by the very many who knew and loved her. Even in her final days, she was more concerned about her friends and family than she was herself. Margie made sure that her youngest granddaughter Paxton had a special homemade Valentine’s box and that presents were ready and wrapped for upcoming birthdays. That’s just who she was. She made the world a better place by the way she made people feel. If you knew Margie, you loved her. Margie lived her life well, always living in the present and never taking anyone or a moment for granted. She had a great insight into people that allowed her to be a friend and companion to those from all walks of life. Margie was a member of the Red Bridge Methodist Church, the Loch Lloyd Garden Club and the Loch Lloyd Golf Club. She is preceded in her death by her parents George and Opal Laverentz and her sister Eleanor Johnston. She is survived by her husband Thomas Smith and her four children, son Darren and his wife Julie of Overland Park, Kansas; son David Smith and his wife Mutlu of The Woodlands, Texas; daughter Dana Benjamin of Overland Park, Kansas; and daughter Dianne Smith-Misemer and her husband Patrick Misemer of Leawood, Kansas. Margie leaves behind seven grandchildren who love and adore her, Rebecca Benjamin, Caitlin Benjamin, Margie Benjamin, George Smith, Harrison Misemer, Paxton Misemer and Thomas Misemer and David and Mutlu’s unborn twins who did not have the chance to meet her but who will undoubtedly know and feel her love. She is survived by siblings Raymond Laverentz and his wife Dorothy; Harold Laverentz and his wife Paula; and Dick Laverentz and his wife Marilyn. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to the Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64145. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 24th at 2:00 p.m. and the Celebration of her life will be at 3:00 p.m. at the Red Bridge United Methodist Church, 636 E. 117th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64131. Online condolences may be given at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.Arrangements under the direction of Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.