Dorothy Goldsmith

Gracious, genuine, and thoughtful, Dorothy Goldsmith was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She experienced so many of the best things that life has to offer, but nothing was better than sharing these experiences with the ones she loved A loving wife and devoted mother, Dorothy was happiest when her loved ones were near. She treasured being on the family farm, and she took great pride in watching her family tree blossom to include the grandchildren and great-grandchildren she adored. A longtime resident of the community she loved, Dorothy touched the lives of so many. Life will never be the same without her here, but she leaves behind a timeless legacy that her loved ones will proudly carry on in her footsteps.

It was great to be an American during the decade that we commonly recall as the Roaring Twenties. Innovation was leading the way to new technology that brought us things like radios, washing machines, refrigerators, and motion pictures in both color and sound. Amidst this exciting time was a time of great excitement in the lives of Francis and Goldie Jenkins as they announced the birth of the baby girl they named Dorothy Maxine on October 17, 1923, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was one of four children as she was joined in her family by her brothers, Ralph, Forrest, and Russell. Dorothy’s father worked at the paper mill in Parchment for 20 years and later bought a farm, spending the rest of his life as a farmer. When she was eight, Dorothy and her family moved to the farm where she lived as a youngster, and then again as an adult. She also attended local schools including Scotts High School where she was a social butterfly who made friends with ease. Dorothy also liked spending time with her family.

Not to be forgotten during her years as a young woman was Dorothy’s introduction to the young man of her dreams. His name was Wallace Goldsmith, and she was a flirt. Dorothy and Wallace started dating in high school, but they were soon separated when he went off to serve in the military. When Wallace returned to have surgery for appendicitis, they were married on June 20, 1943. He returned to his military duties, and Dorothy worked at Gibson’s in Kalamazoo where she helped make parts for the B29 bombers. When Wallace returned from the war, they moved to Battle Creek, and this is where they welcomed two children, Wallace Bruce and Kathleen, into their hearts and home. Dorothy was active in the Post School PTA and was a Cub Scout den mother. In addition, she worked as a nurse aid/desk aid at Leila Hospital. As a family they enjoyed traveling together including a trip out to California when they drove the entire way. Their family also went up North in the days before the Mackinac Bridge was built and took the ferry to the Upper Penninsula. Later in life Dorothy and Wallace continued to travel together, spending several months during the winter in Florida. She was an amazing cook, and they had amazing meals all together on the farm with plenty of leftovers to enjoy for days. Dorothy’s grandchildren especially enjoyed her noodles, and everyone thought she made the best fried chicken, scalloped oysters, apple pie, and 24 hour salad. Some of her best times were spent with her loyal friends Bonnie, Doris, Jeanne, and Lorna. These ladies were her heroes.

Throughout her life Dorothy was someone who kept busy. She loved having people at the farm as it was the backdrop for so many special memories made as a family. Dorothy was filled with unspeakable joy to become a grandmother, and her grandchildren were her most priceless gifts. She had a way of making each family member feel as though they were uniquely loved. At Christmastime Dorothy made sure she gave gifts that were the perfect gift for each person.

Someone with many favorites, Dorothy was a woman who was always doing something she loved. As her family and friends can attest, she was a seafood fanatic, and Red Lobster was her favorite place to eat. Dorothy also enjoyed going out for a simple car ride, listening to both Celtic and country music. Dorothy could often be found with her nose buried in a book, and she did all kinds of word puzzles. She also liked embroidering and needlepoint.

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Dorothy Goldsmith was such a blessing to so many. She worked hard, but even in her work she was caring for others in some way. There was nowhere Dorothy loved being more than surrounded by the love of her family when they were all together. Giving and generous beyond compare, she always gave the best hugs. Dearly loved, she will be forever missed.

Dorothy Maxine Jenkins Goldsmith, of Coldwater, passed away on Friday, November 16, 2018, at Drews Assisted Living in Coldwater, MI. Dorothy is survived by her children: Wallace Bruce (Laura) Goldsmith of Jackson, MI and Kathleen (Jack) Ferguson of Coldwater, MI; grandchildren: Shane (Jeff) Mazzella of Franklin, TN, Bradley Goldsmith of Jackson, MI, Sarah Ferguson of Galesburg, MI and Melinda (Joshua) McPherson of Columbia, MO; great grandchildren: Laila Mazzella, Sophia and Brayden Goldsmith, Sydney and Ethan Zuke, and Axel and Anja McPherson; and many special friends. Dorothy was preceded in death by her loving husband: Wallace; and brothers: Ralph Jenkins, Forrest Jenkins, and Russell Jenkins. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 21 from 10 — 11 a.m. with the service following at 11 a.m. at the McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes, Rupert-Durham Chapel, 409 S. Main St. Vicksburg, MI 49097 (269-649-1697). Please visit Dorothy’s web page at www.mccowensecord.com where you can sign the guestbook, or share a memory. For those who wish, contributions may be made to the LifeCare Ambulance Service or to ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital Volunteers.