Dorothy Smith Hunt “Dee Dee” passed away at her home on February 23rd, 2023. Born June 28, 1943 in Northampton, MA she moved to Norfolk, VA after graduating from Williamsburg High School in 1961 and remained there.
Dee was a huge supporter of the military, having been a Navy wife herself, she befriended many service members’ families over her lifetime and volunteered at The Treasure Shop on Norfolk Naval Station Base until the time of her death. She enjoyed traveling the world, reading books, watching The Jeopardy Show, and challenged herself with crossword puzzles. Dee loved her life on Willoughby Spit, having fixed up a cottage on the Chesapeake Bay she spent her days searching yard sales and thrift stores, always in search of treasures. Her favorite piece of advice to friends and family was, “never pay retail?. Her family and friends will always remember her kind and generous spirit, sense of humor and laugh. Most visits with Dee would lead to a laughing until-you cry moment or two.
Dee had previously battled non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and was in remission. Unfortunately, her last few years were plagued by various health conditions related to her cancer treatments and medications required to treat her subsequent illnesses. Nevertheless, she remained upbeat and optimistic.
She leaves behind a son Jason Hunt and granddaughter Lenorah, of Chesapeake, VA; sister
Terry Gingras of Haydenville, MA, brother and sister in law Chandler “Butch” and Lynda Smith, several nieces and nephews, and many lifelong friends whom she cherished. Dee Dee was preceded in death by her parents Macdonald and Norma Hinds Smith of Williamsburg MA, and brothers Raymond and Mandell “Mandy” Smith.
A Memorial Service will be held March 11, 2023 11 am at Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5033 Rouse Dr., Virginia Beach, Va. 23462. The family welcomes others to speak at the Memorial Service sharing memories and thoughts in regard to Dorothy Smith Hunt.
A reception will be held at 335 Kemp Lane, Chesapeake, Va. 23325 following the Memorial
I was just one of Dee’s good friends. What I want to share most out of our friendship over the years was all all our travel memories. To recount a few…there was Mombasa Kenya, Singapore for a month at Christmas, Antalya Turkey, Rhodes Greece, the south of Spain, Gibraltar and Morocco. There was Haifa, Jerusalem, Eilat and the red sea. And let me not forget the week in Paris we spent scavenging every thrift store, flea market and antique shop in the city! Dee and I had fun! But I want to say my best memories with Dee were made here at home and once mine, Willoughby.
I am sorry I can’t be at your memorial service, sweet Dee. But I will be there in heart and thoughts. I will truly miss your delightful self, so kind, warm, generous and compassionate. I could always expect to be treated with a big beautiful smile from you. A true light has gone out from among us. Rest in peace, my friend.
So sorry for your loss. I also live in Willoughby and would see her working in her yard while walking on Ocean View Ave. She had great yard sales too! She really loved working at the Treasure Shop and would visit her when I could. I’ll miss her smile.
Dee was someone I knew almost my whole life. Her beautiful blue eyes, joyful spirit, and sense of adventure will never be forgotten. I will treasure the memories of our road trips and fun times together. Ironically my last memory of Dee was when she was comforting me and my family when we lost my Dad a few months ago. Thank you for your very special friendship over the years. You taught me so much.
Dee was a kind, loving woman. You could be relaxed and joyful in her presence. Dee was a devoted mother, grandmother and friend. She will be missed.