“Her love for the community was, and still is, infectious.”

“There is absolutely no one I can think of who cares more, or who has done more, for the city of Kettering…”

These are some of the phrases that were used to nominate the 2011 Holiday at Home Grand Marshal. In a unanimous vote by the selection committee, former Kettering Mayor Marilou Smith has been chosen as the recipient of this year’s title. Marilou is well-known in the community for her countless and long-reaching contributions.

A native Daytonian, Marilou Wald Smith graduated from Julienne High School and attended the University of Dayton. She and her husband, Thomas A. Smith, moved to Kettering in 1965, where they raised their seven children. Today, the family has grown to include 14 grandchildren.

Professionally, Marilou worked for over a decade as an office manager while beginning her work with the Kettering Sister City Committee in the 1970’s. In 1989, she was elected to Kettering City Council where she served until 1998. From 1998 to 2006, she proudly served as Kettering’s Mayor. Marilou has always shown commitment to, and belief in, our community. As Mayor, she took every available opportunity to tell of Kettering, Ohio and all it has to offer to all who would listen, both nationally and internationally. She has always shown exemplary commitment to our community and its citizens and has gained the admiration and respect of countless individuals. In her “retirement”, Marilou has been actively involved with supporting the Kettering Health Network, the Kettering Board of Community Relations, the Kettering Elderly Concerns Group Committee, the Kettering Sister City Committee, the Alter High School Board of Trustees and the Community Foundation for Kettering.

Kettering Holiday At Home Foundation is very pleased to honor Ms. Marilou Smith as the 2011 Grand Marshal.