Heidi Sue Smith

Heidi Sue Smith, 59, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away at her home on August 25, 2026.

Heidi was the beloved daughter of the late Donald and Sharon Smith and the wife of the late Mark Whiteside, who also preceded her in death. She is survived by her older sister, Deanna Caldwell (George); her younger brother, Thomas Smith (Amy); and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who loved her dearly. While her family is heartbroken by her passing, there is comfort in knowing that Heidi and Mark are together again, reunited after their time apart.

Heidi was, without a doubt, the life of the party. She was never afraid to speak her mind, and she had a way of filling a room with laughter, energy, and her unmistakable personality. She loved her family fiercely, had an enormous heart for animals, and was always willing to help someone in need.

Heidi found a career that brought together two of the things she loved most: animals and adventure. She worked as a pet courier, traveling across the country to deliver puppies to their new families. For Heidi, it was more than simply a job. She got to see new places, meet new people, and play a part in bringing beloved new family members home.

There is perhaps no better way to describe what Heidi did than to say that she delivered happiness.

One of her nephews remembers watching the digital picture frame in her home for nearly fifteen minutes as it shuffled through photographs of the families she had delivered puppies to. In photo after photo, there were enormous smiles on the faces of people meeting their new dogs for the first time. Looking at those pictures, it became clear that Heidi wasn't simply delivering puppies across the country—she was delivering happiness to people who were incredibly lucky to have crossed paths with her.

Heidi loved to travel and was always ready to see somewhere new, especially if there was a quirky roadside attraction or unusual tourist spot along the way. She believed in experiencing life rather than waiting for the perfect time to do it. She often reminded those around her, “You can’t get your time back, so do things and go places and live your best life. ”She didn't just say those words. She lived them.

To her nieces and nephews, Heidi was much more than an aunt. She was Aunt Heidi—a confidant, a storyteller, and a keeper of family history. She had a gift for remembering the stories and details that others had forgotten, and she could bring those memories to life with incredible detail. For those of us who were too young to remember certain moments ourselves, Aunt Heidi was the person who could tell us exactly what happened—and probably a few things our parents wished she'd kept to herself.

She knew the stories. She knew the secrets. And she loved sharing them.

Those conversations became something much more valuable than simple family stories. They became pieces of our history that we will carry with us for the rest of our lives. In that way, Heidi leaves behind far more than memories of herself. She leaves behind memories of all of us.

Heidi's passing leaves an enormous hole in the lives of everyone who loved her. But she also leaves behind a legacy of laughter, adventure, compassion, unforgettable stories, and a reminder to make the most of the time we are given.

She taught us to go places. To do things. To help others. To love animals. To laugh loudly. To speak our minds. To make memories.

And most importantly, she taught us to live.

Though Heidi is no longer here to tell the stories herself, her voice will continue to live through the stories we tell about her. Her spirit will live on in every family memory she helped preserve, every adventure she inspired, every animal she helped bring home, and every person whose life she made a little happier.

Heidi may have spent her life delivering puppies to families across the country, but in the end, she delivered something much greater.

She delivered happiness.

And she left a little bit of that happiness behind in every person lucky enough to know her. Her family and friends will carry her with them always.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to charities or organizations that were important to Heidi, including Colony Cats and Dogs or The Lions Club.

A celebration of life will be held for Heidi on Sunday, September 6th, 2026. For information and location, please reach out to the family.