Lillian Beth Smith

March 23, 1911 - May 4, 2012

Beth Smith\'s Orbit around the Sun Lillian Beth Smith journeyed peacefully to her place with the angels from Rancho Mirage, California on May 4, 2012. She was born March 23, 1911 in Michigan. Her blue eyes were ever alert and twinkling at 101 years young. In 1952 Beth drove to Santa Barbara, Ca. with her husband, mother, and two daughters. She is survived by her daughters, Mary Jo McCowan and Kathleen Rose, a bevy of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and many very special loving dear friends. She enjoyed a healthy life and youthful lively spirit, attracting long lasting friendships with those many years younger than herself. She was a loving and fun companion with a sense of humor and adored by her husband, Dr. Fred R. Smith. President of the Children\'s Home Society she practiced a variety of ever changing child rearing techniques on her daughters. She worked as a legal secretary in Detroit and Santa Barbara, moved to Laguna Beach in 1956 where she worked in Fred\'s office until his surgical practice became established. After living in many different areas of Laguna she settled into the community of 3 Arch Bay in 1958. Most summers were spent at the family cabin at Lake George in Mammoth Lakes as well as many vacations to Maui, Hawaii. Beth loved nature and started to paint when she moved to Laguna Beach. As an artist, she painted without hesitation finishing large paintings in a day. Her gift was a splendid sense of composition and an eye for color. She evoked the translucency of waves as she painted the blue/green of the sea off her 3 Arch Bay home. Beth swam fearlessly in the California ocean and snorkeled happily with colorful tropical fish in Maui\'s blue waters. She was a tomboy in her youth, a cheerleader and enjoyed sports. Her hobbies were many: dancing, sailing, skiing, hiking, fishing, camping and entertaining with a unique flair. She traveled with Fred, her family and friends. She loved convertible cars yet rarely put the top down. Beth sewed baby quilts for every infant born into her circle. Her wish to be buried between her Swedish mother and father in Michigan will be granted with family services there. Visitation begins at 1pm and services at 2pm on Sunday, May 20 at the Peterson Funeral Home in Cadillac An online guestbook is available at www. petersonfh.com.