Jacqueline “Jackie” Ann Smith

Jacqueline “Jackie” Ann Smith, 57, of Midland, passed away May 12, 2021. She was born to Richard and Marilyn (Buza) Kuszajewski in Rogers City September 9, 1963.

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After spending her childhood growing up in Presque Isle and graduating from Posen Consolidated High School and Alpena’s Hollywood School of Beauty in 1981, she lived the next 13 years as a Navy wife, moving from coast to coast. She then settled back in Michigan with her children, working in various health care administrative positions at Health Delivery in Saginaw. At the age of 40, she started Delta College, received her associate degree in nursing, and worked at Covenant Healthcare and Select Specialty in Saginaw. 

In 2013, she moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado where she worked as a breast nurse navigator in Craig, Colorado. After her grandsons were born, she moved back to Michigan to be near family.

Jackie has fought a long battle with breast cancer, beginning in 2012. The cancer returned in 2016 in her bones and liver, and she has been on constant chemotherapy in one form or another since then. The known limited time she had left on this Earth has allowed her to appreciate life, family and friends more, to keep a positive attitude, to not let the little things bother you, and to grow closer to God. Her favorite quote was “When you put your trust in Gods hands, He will put His peace in your heart.”

For the last five years, crocheting was Jackie’s passion. Her grandma taught her when she was small, but recently, she used crocheting as a form of meditation to help calm and relax her during rough times, designing and writing patterns, and even being published in well-known crochet magazines. If you would like to view some of her work, search for Simply Vintage Crochet on Facebook and Instagram.

Jackie is survived by

her children, Ryan Smith and Nicole (Kevin II) Little; grandchildren, Kevin III and Brady Little; friend, Mike Quiver; and former husband, Peter Smith. She is also survived by her mother, Marilyn; and siblings, Carleen Collins, Beth (Scott) Kowalski and Jean (Bry) Stephens. She was preceded in death by her father, Richard.

A small prayer service for immediate family will take place at her home with the Rev. Matthew Hauser officiating. Burial will take place at Larkin Township Cemetery.

For those considering an expression of sympathy, a college fund has been set up for her grandchildren in her name.

Smith-Miner Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Smith family. To share a special memory, please visit www.smithminer.com.