Rosalie Mary Smith

She grew up living in the eclectic Lincoln Park neighborhood in Chicago with her five siblings, Josie, Frank, Tony, Gracie, and Joey. She and her family were active at St. Paul de Vincent Catholic Church where she was confirmed and began her lifelong journey of knowing and walking with God. Upon graduation from high school, she worked administrative jobs in downtown Chicago and at a sewing factory – where she became proficient in a skill and hobby she would continue throughout her life.

Rosalie met and fell in love with her husband of 54 years, Harold Eugene Smith in Chicago while she and her sister Josie were enjoying their favorite pastime - ballroom dancing. Dancing became their favorite thing to do in their spare time, dancing three nights a week, and their dedication earned them countless trophies including numerous first place finishes at the annual Chicago Grand Star Ball and International Dance Contest, the Mattison Cup, and the all-around Latin/American Championship. On April 22, 1962, Rosalie and Harold married at Trinity Church in Chicago.

In 1963, they moved to Richardson, Texas, to start a new job and a family. Rosalie and Harold continued their passion for dancing and winning more competitions including the all-around champion at the Dallas Wintergarden Ballroom where they also taught lessons.

On February 14, 1964, Rosalie gave birth to their first son, Dan Charles and two years later their second son, Alan Clayton on May 29, 1965. She lived out and taught her boys the true meaning of unconditional love through her unwavering dedication, support, and encouragement of them as the pursued their unique interests and callings.

In her later years, she worked until her retirement in 1993, at Mark Twain Elementary, the school Dan and Alan attended. She enjoyed sewing and made all her dance competition gowns, her wedding dress, and elaborate costumes for her two grandchildren, Olivia and Evan. She had a passion for Jesus, people, dogs, dancing, music, and laughing and an unfailing loyalty, love, and support for her family and close friends. Richardson would be called home for most of Rosalie’s life except for two years living in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and her last 6 years in Bee Cave, Texas, while under the care of Park Manor after Harold died Sep 3, 2016. Rosalie will be remembered for her genuine love for God and people and will be missed by all who knew her.

Rosalie is preceded in death by her husband, Harold Eugene Smith, her mother and father, Carmela and Lodivico Lentine, and her five brothers and sisters, Josie, Frank, Tony, Gracie, and Joey. She is survived by her son Alan and fiancé Debbie; son Dan and his wife and daughter-in-law, Rebecca; their two children and Rosalie’s grandchildren, Olivia and Evan; and Olivia’s daughter and her great granddaughter, Alaia.

The life of Rosalie (“Rosie”) Mary Smith will be celebrated on June 10, 2023, at Sparkman Funeral Home in Richardson, Texas, and laid to rest and interned with her husband, Harold, at the DFW National Cemetery.