Ms. Dale Smith, 73, of Mooresville, N.C., passed away peacefully at Presbyterian/Novant Hospital-Charlotte after a long battle with breast cancer on Saturday, September 14, 2024. She was born on April 28, 1951, in Detroit, Mich., to the late Frank and Sophia Kaminski.

Dale was a passionate collector of teddy bears and bears. Some would call her an Arctophile considering her extensive collection of teddy bears, which was 65 years in the making. She lovingly referred to her collection as “the guys” and each bear was given their own name, which she could recall effortlessly when asked. Dale was a wine and bourbon connoisseur. She cherished the time spent chatting and sharing stories over a good bottle of wine or bourbon.

Dale began her career with IBM in Colorado after graduation with a BS in Chemical Engineering at Wayne University. She stayed with them until her retirement. She held several positions in Chemical Engineering, Procurement and Supply Chain Management. Dale met her first husband, Thomas J. Smith, at IBM; he preceded her in death after 30 years of marriage. Tom and Dale shared adventures to theme parks, they enjoyed camping and bowling on the IBM mixed bowling league together.

In the latter half of her life, she married Robert C. Posey. Together they opened Fitness on Demand, a local gym in Mooresville. They shared their love for boating on the lake and dining out with friends and family. Robert preceded her in death in 2022. Robert brought many friends into their lives and some would be considered her chosen family.

The day after she retired from IBM she began work at the Lowe’s Store in Mooresville watering plants in the Outside Lawn and Garden section. It was here she made countless friends who surrounded her with love and support in her final days.

In addition to her parents and late husbands, Dale was preceded in death by her younger sister, Francine Pynnonen. She is survived by two nephews (Francine), brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law from both marriages. She is also survived by two daughters and two granddaughters inherited by marriage.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at the Heritage House of Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville, N.C. Visitation is from 2 to 4 p.m. with a service at 4 p.m.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville is proudly serving the Smith family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.