Aileen M. Smith, age 79, of Britton, died unexpectedly at her residence on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Born June 17, 1949, she was one of five children born to the late Terence and Violet (Button) Smith.
Born and raised in the United Kingdom, Aileen graduated from Slough High School for Girls in Berkshire, where she earned ‘O’ Level Certifications in Biology, English Language, English Literature, Arithmetic, History, and Art. Prior to moving to the United States in 1975, she worked for the NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium for five years. Settling near Perrysburg, OH, she furthered her studies at the University of Toledo, where she excelled and in 1978 graduated Summa Cum Laude as Valedictorian of her class, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Molecular Genetics, and in 1986 a MBA in Marketing.
She worked for a number of years for Owens Corning in Toledo, specializing in the marketing of roofing products. However, in 1999 her love of all things equestrian saw her moving to Britton, MI to set up a business where she could train students in general horsemanship and dressage. Aileen loved her horses and was a “special instructor” to her students. She was so proud of all of her students (and their horses), and in particular her student/horse who, with only 6 months of training, were named Reserve World Champion for Western Dressage at the Pinto World Championships in Tulsa, OK on June 15, 2025.
She simultaneously ran her own marketing company (Burnham Research Group), providing consulting services to a range of businesses, and, for over a decade, was involved in the creation, presentation and mentoring for a number of online marketing and general business training courses, notably for Herzing University. Most recently, she served as the Practice Administrator for Knoblauch Law Offices in Blissfield, MI.
In her “spare time”, Aileen also loved to express her creativity through art and her own range of pottery.
Surviving are her four siblings, Paul Smith, Nigel Smith, Carolynne Donnell, and Lesley Khatibi, who all reside in the United Kingdom; and her faithful Great Dane companion, Bentley.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation will take place, and a service will take place at a later date. Arrangements have been made with the guidance of the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.