Emila "Emily" Gillespie-Smith

Emila "Emily" Gillespie-Smith Emily left this earthly home for her heavenly home on April 10, 2010. While surrounded by her loving family, she was called to the Lord at the age of 86. Born Emila Malinowski on January 26, 1924 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Stanley and Veronica (Podapowicz) Malinowski, Emily graduated from Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School in 1942. At age 20, Emily proudly joined the Grand Rapids Platoon of the Women's Marine Corps. She served two years as an Ordnance Sergeant during World War II while stationed at Cherry Point Marine Base in North Carolina. Emily married her sweetheart Forrest Gillespie in 1947, with whom she had four children. He preceded her in death after 26 years of marriage. She later married Earl Smith who is also deceased. Emily was predeceased by her parents, two brothers, Michael and Henry, and two sisters, Rita and Margaret. Emily was a founding member of St. Gerard's Catholic Church, where she volunteered in many Catholic community activities and charities. A devout Catholic, Emily was also a member of the St. Gerard Madonna Circle. Emily is survived by her loving sons, Kenneth (Peggy) Gillespie of Lansing, Peter (Dona) Gillespie of Ovid, Phillip (Pamela) Gillespie of East Lansing, and her loving daughter Anne Wood, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Emily is additionally survived by ten beloved grandchildren, Patrick (Jennifer) Gillespie, Marcy (Gary) Kinzer, Jennifer (Lane) Osborn, Scott (Sara) Gillespie, Christopher (fiancé Casy) Gillespie, Dominic (fiancé Mallorie) Gillespie, Orlando, Graycie, Jillian and Forrest Gillespie; eight great-grandchildren, Patrick, Meghan, Zachary Gillespie, Maggie and Ryan Kinzer, Scotty Gillespie and Sawyer and Lilly Belle Osborn; brother, Joseph (Rene) Malin of Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Janet Malinowski; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at St. Gerard Catholic Church, 4437 W. Willow Hwy, Lansing and followed by interment at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 2-4 and 6-8 with a rosary at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 W. Saginaw, Lansing. Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com The Gillespie family requests any memorial contributions be made to The Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, St. Lawrence/Sparrow campus in Lansing, where their mother, Emily Gillespie-Smith received kind and gentle loving care during her illness.