Margaret Smedley

Margaret “Maggie” Smedley, age 77, of Hudsonville, passed on and is dancing at the feet of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, January 28, 2020.  She was born to Herbert and Gertrude DeVoss on July 13, 1942. Maggie was a graduate of Jenison Christian Schools, Unity Christian High School, Barrington College, and did graduate work at Columbia University. Her parents and brother had hearing loss and this began a passion for working with the deaf and hard of hearing community.  She married Kenneth Smedley on March 28, 1986 and enjoyed a tremendous marriage till Ken’s passing. They enjoyed traveling and camping together for many years. She taught deaf and hard of hearing adults and children in a variety of settings, including Illinois State University, Redding Public Schools in California, Grand Rapids Public Schools, Hope College, Grand Rapids Junior College, and at her church.  She brought the Christian message to many deaf and hard of hearing adults who otherwise could not have known the love of God. She loved teaching the message of Christ to her church family who could not be reached by other means. She continued providing Sunday School to them in her home until several weeks before her death. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kenneth (Charlie) Smedley; parents, Herbert and Gertrude DeVoss; and son-in-law, Scott Greenup.  She is survived by her children, Cindy (Steve) Kramer, Thomas (Debbie) Smedley, Kare Greenup, Janet (Ron) Wyngarden, Julie (Scott) Lamer, Meredith Smedley, Sherrie Smedley, Jayson (Rikako) Jacoby; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; brother, Gerald (Marilyn) DeVoss; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gord (Fay) Smedley, Jenny McBrian; many nieces and nephews; and favorite cousins and friends. Special thanks to Dave Feenstra, Nancy Feenstra, Linda Nikkel, Jayson Jacoby, Roxanne Newhouse, Deb Smedley, Kare Greenup and Julie Lamer, who provided her with much needed care and comfort in her final days.  The family would also like to thank her hospice nurse, Angie for the wonderful care given to Maggie. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 3, 2020, at 11 a.m. at Rosewood Reformed Church, 2795 Rosewood St., Jenison. A luncheon will be held immediately following the funeral service at the church. Interment will take place at Blendon Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Sunday from 1-4 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW and Monday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Youth for Christ or Deaf Missions. In honor of Maggie go and do an act of kindness.