Elvira Anna Smolinski Dunlevy, 84, passed away November 17, 2010. She was born August 7, 1923 in Detroit, Michigan, to Elsa Koenig Smolinski and George Joseph Smolinski. A 1944 graduate of Pershing High School, Elvira, "Vi" went on to the University of Michigan where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in 1948. She was recognized as an award winning member of the Debate Team and she was the All Campus Oratorical Champion and a member of both Delta Sigma Rho and Zeta Phi Eta- two National Honorary Speech Fraternities. She was also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the National Honor Fraternity. After college, Vi became a teacher in the Detroit public high school system.
Vi married George Patrick Dunlevy Jr. on February 19, 1949 and they were together 55 years, until his death in March of 2004. As a young couple, they attended Purdue University together for graduate school where Vi received her Master's of Science degree in 1951. In the early 1950's, Vi and George relocated to Fort Lauderdale FL where she opened a private practice in Speech Pathology. Later, she once again entered the field of Education becoming a Professor of Speech and Speech Pathology at Broward Junior College (Broward Community College). She was the Costume Director for the Drama Department at BCC for many years and later became the Head of the Department of Communications. As an educator, Vi also had the opportunity to become an Adjunct Professor at both the University of Miami and Florida Atlantic University.
A lifelong Democrat, she was Past President of the League of Women Voters in Fort Lauderdale and campaigned in NC during the US Presidential election of 2008.
In the mid 1990's, Vi and George relocated to Port St Lucie, FL to enjoy their new home and an exciting new life at Kings Isle retirement community. In 2003, after many years as cabin owners in the North Georgia mountains Vi and George moved to Otto, NC be closer to their oldest daughter and to enjoy the mountain views they loved so much.
Vi became an active member of the Angel Medical Center Auxiliary in Franklin, NC as a Volunteer Receptionist greeting hospital visitors. She also spent literally thousands of hours knitting "Nursing Shawls" for the new mothers at Angel Medical Center's maternity ward. In addition, Vi was a member of the Otto Garden Club.
Vi is survived by her daughters, Pamela Dunlevy Baker of Otto NC, Shawn Dunlevy Mills and her husband Matt of Andover MA/Clearwater FL and Megan Dunlevy Whalen and her husband Bill of Gainesville, GA. She also leaves a nephew, 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
There will be a Celebration of Vi's Life with a gathering of family and friends at 2pm on Sunday December 12, 2010 at:
Macon Funeral Home 261 Iotla Street Franklin NC 28734 828-524-5540.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Angel Medical Center Auxiliary ℅ Ashley Hyder PO Box 1209 Franklin, NC 28744