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- W. Hattie Smith1909 - 2004
Facts and Events
| Name |
Hattie Smith |
| Gender |
Female |
| Birth? |
1909 |
Michigan, United States |
| Marriage |
|
to Unknown |
| Marriage |
17 Jun 1934 |
Eaton Rapids, Eaton County, Michigan, United Statesto George M Lear |
| Other[3] |
1962 |
Distinguished Alumni Award Honors |
| Death[1] |
23 Sep 2004 |
Eaton County, Michigan, USA |
| Burial[2] |
2004 |
Oakwood Cemetery, Grand Ledge, Eaton County, Michigan, USA |
_FSFTID: LDMP-K2L
References
- ↑ http://www.charlottelibrary.org/Obits/2004Obits.htm
Hattie Lear (Smith) Baribeau, 94, of Grand Ledge, passed away Sept. 23, 2004.
Hattie received a teaching degree from Ferris Institute (now Ferris State University) and a master�us degree from Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University).
In 1938, at the age of 29, as a result of a fall, Hattie suffered a serious brain injury and was left unable to talk, read, write, or even tell the time of day. After a lengthy rehabilitation, she became interested in helping the mentally challenged. Subsequently, Hattie and her husband, George, opened the first licensed boarding home for mentally handicapped children in the state. Thus began a lifetime of service to others. Hattie became director of the Woodhaven Center for Retarded Children in 1961, and upon its merge with the Beekman Center in Lansing, she became executive director of Beekman and the Greater Lansing Association for retarded Children, retiring in 1971.
In retirement, she continued to serve as a consultant and promoter of legislation benefiting the mentally challenged. Hattie was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Grand Ledge and was an enthusiastic worker on numberous projects until her health failed; she was also active in various youth and political groups and was a great supporter of Grand Ledge by taking part in many community activities, early in her career.
Hattie served as the first full-time secretary for the Grand Ledge Chamber of Commerce. She was also a long-time member of the Country Club of Lansing. Ferris State University twice honored Hattie with Award, citing her statewide recognition as an authority in the education of handicapped people and for her courage and determination in overcoming a personal tragedy. At the time of her death, Hattie was the oldest living recipient of the Alumnus Award.
She was preceded in death by husbands, George Lear and Dr. Charles Baribeau; parents, Ira and Reva Smith; and brothers Don and Glen Smith.
Surviving are her son, Tom (Peg) Lear of Grand Ledge; daughter, Kathy (Rick) Hasselbring of Grand Ledge; brother, Elwin Smith of Charlotte; sister, Shirley Sleight of Farwell; sister-in0law, Thursa Smith and special friends Larry and Pam Lyon of Sunfield; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Hattie�us final act of helping others was to donate her body for research to the University of Michigan.
A memorial service was held Oct. 9 at the First United Methodist Church in Grand Ledge, with Rev. Molly C. Turner and Rev. William J. �SBill�T Amundsen officiating. A graveside interment at Oakwood Cemetery in Grand Ledge will take place at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Hospice, 2675 S. Cochran, Charlotte, MI 48813. Arrangements were by Holihan-Atkin Funeral Home, Grand Ledge. - ↑ Burial:
Oakwood Cemetery
Grand Ledge
Eaton County
Michigan, USA
Find A Grave Memorial# 107349912
- ↑ Ferris State University Alumni Association of Distinguished Alumni
Awards recognizing exceptional career success and noteworthy fidelity and
devotion to the University
http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/alumni/SpringReunion/Images/Spring_Reunion_2011.pdf
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