Marit Smaby Nowlin

Marit Smaby Nowlin 

Marit Smaby Nowlin, a lifelong resident of St. Paul and Blueberry Island on Lake Vermilion, passed away in her favorite place on earth on August 13th, 2025 at the age of 80 years.

Marit Ragnhild Smaby was born on March 13th 1945 to Arthur J. Smaby and Alpha S. Smaby in Minneapolis. She was the eldest of three sisters, Karlin Bergetta and Jan Ingrid. Marit was guided by her mother’s political activism and service in elected office and her father’s leadership in the national and international cooperative movement. Marit valued and cultivated community, opening doors to neighbors, friends and strangers, for causes great and small. 

Marit Smaby attended Sidney Pratt Elementary school in Prospect Park, graduated from Marshall High School where she was crowned Homecoming Queen. She went on to study at The Sorbonne in Paris, France, becoming fluent in French, and graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in journalism. 

Marit met and swept Forrest Dickerson Nowlin Jr. off his feet in 1967. They married on June 20th 1969, whereafter they moved to Zambia to teach at Nkumbe International College. Marit and Dick have four daughters: Margaret Sunde (born in Zambia), Megan Smaby, Katherine Ann and Jessica Dickerson (all born and raised in St. Paul). 

Marit took the greatest joy in raising her four daughters, and eight grandchildren and spending time with an expansive and beloved network of friends. She cherished her Norwegian moniker ‘MorMor’ (mother’s mother). She took the utmost pride in watching her children and grandchildren flourish in the arts, athletics, academics and acts of service, sharing stories of their challenges, successes and contributions with friends and family. In addition to her daughters, Marit welcomed many other friends and children into her heart, adopting them not by law but by love. 

Rooted in her deep belief in volunteerism, public service and love of music, Marit was a devoted volunteer throughout her life: serving on her church vestry at St. Mark’s Cathedral, phone banking for local and national political campaigns.  She and her husband Dick were early and avid supporters of the renowned national chorale group, Cantus. 

Marit’s innate charisma and comedic talent were integral to her professional life: beginning with events at Dayton Hudson Department Store, appearing as a guest on the WCCO morning show, performing stand-up comedy at Dudley Riggs, creating the program “Wit at Work” to incorporate humor into the workplace, as well as joining her friend and collaborator Butch Thomspon for an irreverent church and community driven program – where she dressed as a Viking maiden, sang and ‘ordained’ Episcopal priests. 

Renowned for her sparkly hats, musical gifts, radiant smile, love of Lake Vermilion and famous Norwegian Almond Cake, Marit was a lighthouse of unconditional love, warmth, grace and acceptance. A giant among us whose legacy of love and grace will be honored and remembered in all the hearts she touched.  

Marit is survived by her sisters Karlin Symons, Jan Ingrid Smaby, husband Forrest D. Nowlin Jr, daughters Margaret McCaffery (Fran), Megan Lior (Dotan), Katherine Nowlin (Remy Auberjonois), Jessica Nowlin, grandchildren Connor McCaffery, Patrick McCaffery, Marit McCaffery Jack McCaffery, Anya Lior, Esme Lior, Sunde Auberjonois, Reece Sange and Emmett Nowlin Sange. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Arthur J. Smaby and Alpha S. Sunde. 

Visitation will be on Tuesday August 19th 10AM-2PM at O’Halloran & Murphy 575 S. Snelling Ave, St. Paul, Minnesota 55116 

A Celebration of Marit’s Life will be held Thursday October 9th, at 11:00 AM at Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, 519 Oak Grove Street, Minneapolis 55403.  Reception to follow at Saint Mark's.

Memorials or donations may be made to Minnesota Public Radio and Minnesota Children’s Defense Fund. 

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