COURTESY
CLAREMONT — Dorothy Laramie Smolnik, 89, of Claremont, died on May 19, 2019, at the Sullivan County Health Care, after a long period of declining health. Dorothy was born on Nov. 15, 1929, to Eugene and Leona (Charest) Laramie, in Detroit, Michigan. She also lived in California for some time before making Claremont her home. Dorothy graduated from Stevens High School in the class of 1947, joining the workforce until 1949, when she married Zigmund Smolnik on Feb. 12, 1949. She then went on to work as a bookkeeper-accountant for Montgomery Ward, H.P. Welch Trucking, Joy Foundry and finally, Joy Mfg. where she retired in 1987 to care for her husband who passed away in 1988.
Her retirement years were filled with adventures with her grandkids and later, her great-grandchildren. She loved traveling to the Lakes Region for day trips and weekends with grandchildren in tow. As the years went on, she loved following her grandchildren and great-grandchildren either on a sporting field, a stage or a school concert. She was proud of the fact she was able to follow the accomplishments of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For over 50 years, she boasted she had probably witnessed more sporting events from her backyard near right field of Barnes Park for the 68 years she had lived there. She was also a very dedicated volunteer at the Claremont Senior Center where she loved spending time at the front desk or at the library organizing books.
Dorothy left this world knowing she would reunite with her husband Zigmund; her mother and father; her brothers, Gene, Bob and Ron Laramie; and many other friends and relatives. Dorothy leaves behind her favorite daughter Nancy Smolnik Richardson and partner Larry McEreavy and her kids, Amy Tenney and partner Steve, and Meg Tenney and husband Josh; her favorite son Mark Smolnik and wife Ruth and Mark’s kids, Ryan Smolnik and wife Leigha, and Benjamin Smolnik and fiancée Clarissa, and Mark’s stepkids, Michael and Christy Chamberlain; great-grandkids, Austin and Camden Burt, Charles and Caroline Cloud, Ryleigh Smolnik, Lucas and Avery Smolnik and one on the way.
Visiting hours will be at the Stringer Funeral Home on Friday, May 24, 2019, from 10 a.m. to noon. A service will be held at the funeral home at noon. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. We will end the day at the Claremont Country Club where all are invited to come and share stories and memories of Dorothy, Mom, Grammie Dot, Gigi and Gram. In lieu of flowers, we are asking anyone wishing to make a contribution to the Claremont Senior Center, 5 Acer Heights, Claremont, NH 03743. To view an online memorial or send a private message of condolence, visit www.stringerfh.com.
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