Dorothy Lenko Smik, 82, of Wheeling, West Virginia, passed away peacefully at home on September 12.
She was born on December 30, 1931 in Harrison County, the daughter of Martin and Anna Vishnae Lenko. Dorothy graduated from Hopedale High School in 1949. She retired from Ohio Valley Medical Center where she worked as an admissions clerk.
Dorothy enjoyed reading, listening to country and big band music, and tending to her rose garden.
She married the late Milo (Cy Williams) Smik whom she met at the WWVA Jamboree while living in Wheeling. Cy played the fiddle in his brother’s country music group, Doc Williams and the Border Riders, until the early 50s.
Dorothy was a devoted wife, spending every day with her husband of 55 years, who was in a nursing for many years before his death in 2006.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sisters Mary Bonicoli, Anne Denney, Julie Knight, Margaret Grabits, Velma Milliken, infant brother Martin, and nieces Christina Grabits, Carolyn Turner and Darlene Lenko.
Dorothy is survived by her sister Sue (Patrick) Case of Hopedale, brothers Andrew (Myrtle) Lenko of Bloomingdale and Robert (Kathryn) Lenko of Hopedale, several nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She also had two very special friends, Mary Daner and Jean Krupinski of Wheeling whose friendship spanned over 60 years, along with many wonderful neighbors.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Valley Hospice in Wheeling for support the past seven months.
Dorothy was loved by many and will be missed dearly.