In Memorial - Denessa Smith
In Memorial
Denessa Smith
8/25/1965 – 7/28/2008
On July 28, 2008 a bright, beautiful, and vibrant woman passed through the veil. Denessa Smith, the head of the Tempest Smith Foundation passed away. Denessa was a dear and beautiful woman who spoke on behalf of children and women. Her laughter and oh, so much more are already missed in this sphere of existence. The Magical Education Council and ConVocation would like to join the community in honoring and remembering Denessa Smith. Her work in the community and with the Tempest Smith Foundation will be a lasting tribute to the difference one woman can make. Denessa devoted her energy and her drive towards making our community a more tolerant place and her impact will stay with us.
About the Tempest Smith Foundation:
In February 2001, Tempest Smith, at the age of twelve years old, committed suicide due to bullying and persecution. The behavior she was subjected to began when she was in the second grade and increased with intensity until Tempest could no longer dispel the torment through nonviolent reaction. She left written words indicating her decision.
In September 2002, after more than a year of meditation and inner contemplation, Tempest’s mother Denessa Smith, stepped out into the community with a mission and a message. Denessa sought out a local pagan organization, the Federation of Circles and Solitaries (FOCAS), who welcomed her with open arms. Soon after, Denessa became head of the Charities committee for FOCAS, creating the Adopt-a-Shelter program and enhancing the Pagans In Need Fund, both of which are still the main charities of the group today.
Later the next year, Denessa heard of Witches of Michigan (WOM), a group of pagan families that came together to honor the memory of Tempest. Strongly rooted in the importance of family and community, WOM provides a network of caring families who have dedicated themselves to ensuring tolerance and acceptance in all communities.
After months of traveling the circuit to many other groups and nonprofit organizations, Denessa decided it was time to make her mission and message ring louder. In January 2003, the Tempest Smith Foundation (TSF) legally began. The debut of TSF was at the Tempest Smith Memorial Ritual held at ConVocation. The ritual was performed by several prominent figures of the pagan community to honor Tempest, ensuring that her convictions would not go unnoticed.
The year 2004 would be filled with filing paperwork to make TSF a nonprofit organization and copyrighting the logo. Several of the functions attended in that year were the Ford Interfaith Conference, ConVocation as their charity of choice, and the introduction of the Board of Directors for TSF at the Southern Sun Rising Luncheon.
As knowledge of TSF grew, a collaborative effort produced a recipe book as a fundraising tool. The recipe book includes numerous works from family members, prominent pagan authors and local supporters.
Tye-Dye for Tolerance is an activity for people of all ages to show support for tolerance. Squares are dyed to help form a Tolerance Tapestry. Tapestries compiled from several Pagan Pride Day events and the MEC Pagan Picnic will be used as a visual aid during Denessa’s speaking engagements.
When Tempest died, Denessa donated her daughter’s organs to the Gift of Life Foundation. She has since become a registered spokesperson and greater advocate for the Gift of Life and does work with the National Kidney Foundation. Denessa is also a registered candidate for bone marrow donation with the National Marrow Donor Program.
For the last five years, Denessa has become actively involved in several community organizations. She joined DeMolay with her son and became an Advisor for the Masonic youth group. She also joined the Order of the Eastern Star to show more support for the Masonic organization. Through the Meals on Wheels program, Denessa has brought together people from many organizations and multiple communities.
In September 2001, PaganPride.org created a Memorial Page in honor of Tempest. Thousands of people from all over the globe have pledged themselves to being part of the resolution against intolerance. By reading this, you, too, have become a part of the bigger picture — a grand portrait of tolerance, where you can be you and Tempest is free.