Lucy J. LaFaive
MARQUETTE, MI – Lucy J. LaFaive, age 74, passed away Friday, April 17, 2026, at Trillium House. She was known for her welcoming smile and kind heart. She said she lived a “wonderful full life.” She was fiercely protective of those she loved and was a tireless caregiver.
Born May 28, 1951, in Ishpeming, Michigan, Lucy was a daughter of Clarence Alford and Dolores Henrietta (Glaser) LaFaive. She was raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she graduated from James Madison High School. She later attended St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. In 1970, her family moved to Negaunee, Michigan, the summer before her sophomore year at St. Norbert.
Lucy transferred to Northern Michigan University in 1971 and went on to earn her Master of Arts in Education (Counseling) in 1983.
She was adventurous, traveling throughout North America and to Hawaii and Belize, sharing some of those adventures with her husband Richard P. Smith. Some of the adventures she went on include para-sailing, snorkeling, solo camping and horseback riding.
She really enjoyed white water rafting, going on many trips throughout North America. One of her most memorable whitewater rafting trips was through the Grand Canyon where she almost fell off the raft while riding the horn through a stretch of rapids. She and her group rode mules out of the canyon.
She especially loved kayaking, paddling on Lake Superior and many inland waters, but also made kayaking trips to Florida, Alaska and Belize. She made a point of going on as many kayaking trips as possible during 2025 with family members.
Lucy spent time volunteering with social organizations including the Women’s Center and Planned Parenthood and political campaigns, and later designing workshops and presentations. Lucy worked on Dukakis’ presidential campaign as Peace and Environmental coordinator for the UP. She was also an activist, marching on Washington for women’s choice.
She met her husband, Richard P. Smith, when they were both working at the Holiday Inn in Marquette during 1971. They married on May 15, 1976. Lucy worked at the Marquette County Youth Home, starting in 1975, and then became a juvenile probation officer until 1983 when she started working with her husband after earning her Masters in Counseling Degree at Northern Michigan University the same year. They became business partners working on numerous projects together including publishing books and DVDs.
Lucy found great joy in life through her hobbies and interests, including dancing. Before she passed she wrote, “I feel so Grateful, Loved and Blessed!”
Lucy is survived by her husband of 49 years, Richard P. Smith; her sister, Fran (Michael) French; her brother, Al LaFaive; nieces, Jennifer Dupras, Melissa (Philip) Baker, and Monica LaFaive; and nephews, Jason Dupras, Nick LaFaive, and Matoska Waci (Helen He) Waltz.
In addition to her parents, Lucy was preceded in death by a sister, Susan A. LaFaive; and a sister-in-law, Sharyl LaFaive.
Lucy will be remembered for her compassionate spirit, dedication to her community, and the love she shared with her family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Cancer Care of Marquette County, P.O. Box 626, Ishpeming, MI 49849 (cancercaremqt.com).
Friends may call at Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services on Saturday, May 30, beginning at 11:00 am until the time of service at 1:00 pm.
Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com