Elizabeth Anna Smith

Elizabeth Anna Smith (née Szantner), 64, of Rochester Hills, Michigan, passed away on October 30, 2026, at University of Michigan Hospital, with her son and daughter by her side. After a year-and-a-half battle with lymphoma and complications from treatment, Elizabeth passed away surrounded by the love of her family. She was a fighter through and through, holding on with determination and hope, driven by her greatest wish: to have more time with the people she loved.

Elizabeth was born on March 2, 1962, to George and Angela Szantner and grew up in Allen Park, Michigan, in a proud Hungarian family whose traditions shaped her early life. As a young girl, she loved to dance, including performing Hungarian dances at her church.

At Schafer High School, where she graduated in 1980, she played clarinet in the band, performed in school plays, and played on the volleyball team. Her love of music, movement, and being on stage stayed with her throughout her life, whether singing along in the car or cheering on her daughter at dance competitions.

She went on to Eastern Michigan University, earning a degree in marketing in 1985. In 1987, she married Gregory Smith and moved to Rochester Hills, where she welcomed her son, Devin, in 1988, and her daughter, Kelsey, in 1990.

For many years, Elizabeth devoted herself wholeheartedly to raising her children. She was their biggest fan, their greatest supporter, and rarely missed a game, dance recital, or milestone. She had a gentle way of being involved in their young lives, never with judgment, but always making sure Devin and Kelsey knew they had someone in their corner. And her love extended well beyond her own children. She was another mom to many of their friends, always making people feel welcomed, supported, and cared for.

Around 2010, Elizabeth returned to retail as a stylist for Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, a role that suited her perfectly. She had a true love for fashion, an eye for style, and a wardrobe that could hardly be contained to a single room. Animal print was a signature, not just an occasional choice. But her greatest gift as a stylist went far beyond clothes. She had a special ability to help people of all shapes and sizes feel confident, beautiful, and comfortable in their own skin. She genuinely loved helping people feel good about themselves, and that gift touched so many who walked into her department.

Family was always at the heart of Elizabeth's life. After her father passed in 1998, her mother, Angela, remained a cherished part of everyday family life. When Angela later faced Alzheimer's, Elizabeth was deeply involved in her care through the last decade of her life, alongside her brother and sister. It was not always easy, but Elizabeth showed up for the people she loved, taking on the hard parts because she never wanted someone she cared about to feel alone in what they were going through.

When she wasn't working, Elizabeth loved being outside and soaking up the sun as much as possible. She could often be found walking in the park with her mother, sister, or daughter, biking the trails around Rochester, or finding any excuse to be near the water. She believed just about any project was better outside in the sunshine.

In 2018, Elizabeth became a grandmother, a role she embraced with her whole heart. Nothing made her happier than time with Sophie, Murphy, Josephine (Jo), and Isabella (Izzy), whether playing “salon,” sharing snacks and juice during “driveway happy hour,” or simply being together. Her children and grandchildren were her greatest joy, and she often spoke about how much she wanted to get better so she could be here for all the moments still to come.

Elizabeth will be remembered for her big heart, playful spirit, unmistakable style, and the way she showed up for the people she loved. She had a way of making even the most ordinary moments more fun, whether through her singing, silly noises, laughter, or turning everyday moments into little adventures. She loved fiercely, supported wholeheartedly, and had a way of making people feel they never had to face life's challenges alone. To her family, she was not just a mother, grandmother, and sister, but a best friend, their biggest cheerleader, and a constant source of love.

She is survived by her children, Devin (Sara) and Kelsey; her grandchildren, Sophie, Murphy, Josephine, and Isabella; and her siblings, Robert (Richelle) and Sylvia. She was preceded in death by her father, George, and her mother, Angela.

Funeral Service & Visitation

Monday, November 9, 2026

Visitation: 2:00–5:00 p.m.

Funeral Service: 5:00 p.m.

Pixley Funeral Home | Rochester, Michigan