Obituary: Dorothy Eileen (Deacon) Smith

May 1, 1930 – Oct. 3, 2019 

Dorothy Eileen Smith, 89, of Sister Bay died at Good Samaritan Society – Scandia Village in Sister Bay.

She was born in Leicester, England, the daughter of Charles Pate Mackman Deacon and Edith (Newcombe) Deacon. Dorothy attended Mundella School in Leicester. She met Norman Kenneth Smith when she was 17, and they were married on Christmas Eve 1949 at St. Barnabus Church in Leicester. 

Dorothy and Norman immigrated to Wisconsin, arriving on Jan. 6, 1961, in hopes of greater opportunities and made their home on the north side of Milwaukee. Dorothy worked a number of part-time jobs so she could be at home with her three daughters. After the girls left home, Dorothy worked at Wisconsin Gasket until she retired at 61.

Dorothy and Norman were blessed with more than 61 years of marriage. He died on Feb. 5, 2011, in Leicester. Dorothy moved back to Wisconsin to live with her daughter, Denise, and then moved to Door County in 2012 to live with her daughter, Denise, and son-in-law, LeRoy “Butch.” 

She was a member of the Transatlantic Brides and Parents Association in Milwaukee and enjoyed participating in the International Institute’s Holiday Folk Fair, held in November to celebrate world cultures, heritage and traditions. Dorothy was an excellent cook and baker who was known for making jam tarts, pasties and mince pies. She will be remembered for being a strong and caring person and a hard worker. “She was Mom.” 

Dorothy will be deeply missed by her daughter, Denise (LeRoy “Butch”) Schramm of Sister Bay; nine grandchildren, Lisa (Curt) Rosbeck, Kerin Schramm, David Schramm, Kimberly (Edward) McGillis, Lindsay (Travis) Tackes, Christopher Volgmann, Nicholas Volgmann, Andrew Smith, and Lane Lewandowski; 15 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; sister, Irene Zupan; brother, John (Faye) Deacon of Leicester, England; brother-in-law, Derek (Janice) Smith of Leicester, England; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Charles P.M. Deacon; mother, Edith Huddleston; husband, Norman; two daughters, Linda (Glen) Tetzlaff and Janice Smith; eight siblings, Fred (Elsie) Deacon, Edna (Jim) Travers, Ray Deacon, Roy (Jan) Deacon, Margaret (Arthur) McDaniel, Leslie (Pat) Deacon, Gladys Deacon, Evelyne Deacon; brother-in-law, Trevor (Sue) Smith; great-grandson, Joey Pari; and other relatives. 

Dorothy’s life will be honored with a memorial service Friday, Dec. 13, 1:30 pm, at the Gathering Room at Scandia Village in Sister Bay, with Rev. Joy Zakrzewski officiating. Friends may visit with Dorothy’s family, 1-1:30 pm.

She will be laid rest in Washington County Memorial Park in West Bend in the spring with her husband and two daughters.

Memorials may be given in her name to Birchwood Memory Care Unit, c/o Scandia Village, 10560 Applewood Road, Sister Bay, WI 54234. 

“Thank you to the Scandia Village staff for your care given to Mom these past two months.” 

Casperson Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Sister Bay are assisting the Smith family. Expressions of sympathy, memories and photos of Dorothy can be shared through her tribute page at caspersonfuneralhome.com. 

Donations may be made to:

Birchwood Memory Care Unit
c/o Scandia Village
10560 Applewood Road, Sister Bay, WI 54234
Tel: 920.854.2317