Veronica Latta Smith
GROSSE ILE - Veronica Latta Smith passed away peacefully at home in Grosse Ile on November 13, 2022 at the age of 97. She was born January 13, 1925, in Wyandotte, MI, to her Polish parents, Jan and Helena Latta, who established the Latta Feed Store. She was preceded in death by her siblings Laurence, Edmund, Helen, Eddie, Sophia, Mary, and Wanda.
Veronica worked for Great Lakes Steel during World War II to help pay for college at the University of Michigan. There she earned her sociology degree in 1948 beginning nearly 80 years of dedication to the school. She met her late husband, Stewart G. Smith, a graduate of U of M Law School, on a double date. Stew arranged this date because Veronica was dating a friend of his and he wished to make her acquaintance. They married in 1952 and had six children who all attended the University of Michigan along with eight of their thirteen grandchildren.
Veronica’s work varied throughout her life following graduation. She was a teacher, owner of Latta Insurance Agency and gift shop proprietor. Ronnie became director of the Martha Cook Board of Governors at U of M and served on other alumni boards. In 1984, she was elected to the University of Michigan Board of Regents. She was known as the “Students’ Regent.” Her advocacy for students was recognized by the Michigan Student Assembly in 1992, a first for a regent. In addition to this commendation, she was honored to have met four U.S. presidents through her service to the University. Veronica, as Regent Emerita, continued to participate in University commencements and attended football games until she was 95-years old.
Veronica is survived by her six children: Dr. S. Gregory and Martha Smith of Yorklyn, DE; Dr. Patrick and Karen Smith of Columbia, MO; Paul Smith of Los Angeles, CA; Alison Hurley and her late husband James Hurley of Scottsdale, AZ; Alisa and Steve Lyons of Grosse Ile, MI; and Glenn and Marie Smith of Grand Rapids, MI. Also, thirteen grandchildren Ryan, Brett, Matt, Kyle, Kelly, Holly, Tracy, Shelby, Samantha, Jack, Casey, Suzanne, and Doug, and 4 great-grandchildren Carson, Fritz, Lola, and Milo. The diversity of her children’s lives and careers speaks to Veronica as a passionate, caring mother who emphasized the importance of education and the value of a close-knit, loving family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Stewart and Regent Emerita Veronica Latta Smith Scholarship for Siblings Fund – 798869 at the University of Michigan or to the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries.
A funeral mass will be conducted at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Grosse Ile, MI at 10:00am on Saturday, November 19th. A visitation will be held at Molnar Funeral Home Nixon Chapel, 2544 Biddle Ave, Wyandotte, MI, Saturday, November 19th from 3:00pm to 6:30pm, with a family remembrance at 6:00pm. She will be buried with Stewart at Great Lakes National Cemetery.
Links to Charities: https://leadersandbest.umich.edu/find/#!/give/basket/fund/798869/ tributee/Stewart%20Smith/type/memory
https://give.drmm.org/General-Donation.html