Nina Ruth Hedrich

A devoted mother to Amy MacKay and a cherished grandmother to Sean and Neve MacKay, Nina leaves behind a legacy of warmth, intellect, and compassion. Born on November 15th, 1940, in Elyria, Ohio, Nina was the daughter of the late Donald and Ruth Haag Whyte.

Raised in Lorain, she pursued her early passion for the sciences

at The Ohio State University, where she earned a degree in biology. Her professional journey began in dental hygiene, but her sharp intellect and love for the written word later led her to Boston, where she established a career as a journal editor. While living and working in Boston, Nina met Donald F. Smith and they fell in love.

Following their marriage, the couple welcomed their daughter, Amy, and settled in the suburb of Arlington. There, Nina dedicated herself to raising her daughter while donating her time to her church and various community organizations. Later in life, she found deep

companionship and happiness in her marriage to her second husband, William Hedrich, of Florida.

An avid reader and a passionate traveler, Nina possessed a lifelong curiosity about the world. She also held a deep reverence for animal welfare, frequently advocating for and contributing to the care of animals in need. Nina was preceded in death by her second husband, William Hedrich; her parents; and her beloved sister, Mary Mutach.

A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 11:30am in the Chapel of Mitchell Funeral Home. Entombment will follow in Raleigh Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the SPCA of Wake County to honor Nina's lifelong love for animals, by using the link below, under 'Donations'.

If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Nina, or a message of condolence for her family, you may do so below, within 'Add a Memory'.