If there ever was a perfect name for someone, this Highlands resident’s name fits her perfectly, just like the glass slipper in Cinderella!
Delores “Dee” Smiley moved to the Highlands this past August and has not stopped sharing her smile with us ever since. She moved to KP from her home in Leisure World and said, “She never thought she could be so happy.”
Born and raised in Teaneck, NJ, Dee was the eldest of six children, born to strong Catholic-faithed Italian parents. Her parents celebrated 74 years of marriage together! When her father passed away, her mother said, “He couldn’t have just hung on one more year so that we could have been blessed by the Bishop?!”
After high school, she attended and graduated from Beaver College, now called Arcadia, in Philadelphia. She married and raised three children living in Columbus, OH. In addition to her own children, she raised her youngest brother’s children when he passed away at a very young age. Dee was very involved in the children’s activities and loved living in Columbus, which was a much smaller, slower city than it is now.
Dee’s love for children led to a teaching career, and later she became a real estate broker.
In 1995, Dee remarried to Jim. The newlyweds sailed through the Greek islands and Cuba! They both enjoyed socializing, playing golf and traveling. When Jim passed away, Dee moved to Maryland to be closer to her daughter, and lived in Leisure World for 12 years. Dee loves her family, as she is the proud grandmother to six grandchildren and two great grandchildren!
Dee, along with her feline companion Frankie, has settled into the KP life, enjoying all we have to offer, especially our unique eight acres.
Thank you for bringing your smiles to us at KP, Dee. We are so delighted to have you as part of the KP Family