Irene M. Smith

Irene lived in Calumet on a farm near Tapiola and in Portage Township, Michigan. In 1933, she worked as a governess in Chicago for one year, and then in Beverly Hills, California for a short time. She returned to Michigan for employment in Chicago and later relocated to Detroit in 1936, where she secured a job with Burroughs Corporation.

During this time period, she met and married Durell. She traveled with him to many military assignments until his passing in 1963. After which time, Irene relocated to Maryland where she worked at the Andrews AFB Base Exchange until 1968. She moved to Biloxi, Mississippi to help her daughter Judy with her two older children and newly born twin grandsons. In 1969, she returned to Maryland where she worked at the Andrews AFB Bank.

Upon her retirement in 1974, she relocated to Ontario, California helping set up a retirement home for herself, two of her sisters and a brother. In California, Irene was active with bowling, church functions, traveling, and hosting many visits with fellow retired family members. In 1988, she relocated to Chandler, Arizona where she resided with her daughter and son-in-law.

She had music in her soul as she played the piano, accordion, organ, and harmonica. She was an avid reader, poet (yearly Christmas poems), gardener, and cook. Her Diamondbacks and Suns professional ball teams kept her cheering.

She is survived by her daughter: Judith (Richard) Gulsvig and son Marshall D. Smith of Seymour, Indiana; five grandchildren: Kimberley Gulsvig, James (Donna) Gulsvig, Douglas (Pamela) Gulsvig; Daren (Bythe) Gulsvig; David Smith; seven great-grandchildren: Aleigha Gulsvig, Caitlyn Gulsvig, Olivia Gulsvig, Grace Gulsvig, Chloe Gulsvig, Logan Gulsvig, David Smith Jr. and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents: John Tulppo and Elizabeth (Baf) Tulppo, husband: Durell L. Smith, eight sisters and four brothers.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation, in Irene's name, to Hospice of the Valley by clicking the link below.