Patricia Smith

Patricia Tipton Smith was born on July 10, 1940 in Soda Springs, Idaho to Paul and Fern Tipton. Patty passed away peacefully in Bountiful, Utah, on January 22, 2020, after a brief illness. Patty was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, Kenneth Creston Smith, and daughter Amie Anne Rands. She is survived by her son, Tony Smith (Michele), daughter Susan Jumonville (Kenny), and son Paul Smith (Michele), and eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and sister Terre Lakey (Dwight).

Patty was raised in Soda Springs, Idaho. Anyone who knew Patty knows that Idaho – particularly Soda Springs and Bear Lake – was a much loved place.  Patty had fond memories of her childhood and the many hours she spent roaming the hills and valleys of southern Idaho with her father, in search of beautiful or interesting rocks. Eventually, some of those rocks found their way to the Natural History Museum at the Smithsonian. During her summer vacations, Patty worked at a dude ranch by Jenny Lake in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a job that she thoroughly enjoyed. Her father instilled in her a love of music. She sang and played the piano in her father’s touring dance band. After completing high school, she pursued her higher education at Brigham Young University where she met and married Navy veteran Ken Smith in 1959.

The young couple lived in Washington, Alabama, Virginia, Colorado, and New York, before settling in Bountiful, Utah with their four children. Though a busy mom, Patty still found the time to be actively involved in the LDS church, including singing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for nine years, which included travels all over the world. Patty was an accomplished concert pianist as well as talented soprano and appeared as a soloist on the Choir’s recording of Mendelssohn’s “Elijah”. She passed on her love of music to her children. Family gatherings were frequently musical events, with everyone gathered around a piano. She was also known for her fabulous baking – especially the dinner rolls!

In the late 80s, the family moved to Northern California where Patty pursued and completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, summa cum laude, from San Jose State University, and worked as a nurse.   Patty and Ken retired and lived happily for many years in the beautiful foothills surrounding Soda Springs, Idaho. She was a dedicated wife and support to her husband, whom she loved, admired, and cherished.  After Ken’s passing in 2014, Patty moved to Bountiful, Utah and brought joy and happiness to her children, grandchildren, and those lucky enough to know her.

Patty experienced health issues all her life, and had multiple strokes in the mid-1990s which significantly impacted her health. Despite these hurdles, Patty never stopped being a font of love and kindness for her family and friends, strong in her faith, quick to make her children smile, and always able to muster a song for anyone who wanted to sing with her. She will be remembered for her kind and gracious spirit, many talents, and service to others.

The family extends a special thanks to Margaret, Robin and Michelle at LifeCare Center in Bountiful, Dr. Scott Southworth, the nursing staff at Lakeview Hospital, Ms. Jennifer Griswold, APRN and Legacy House Assisted Living, and the Legacy Atlas hospice team, as well as to all of the family and friends who have shown their love and support.

The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, January 27, 2020 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 950 North Main Street, Centerville, 84014.

Viewing times will be Sunday, January 26, 2020, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary-Bountiful, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, 84010 and Monday, January 27, 2020, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 950 North Main Street, Centerville, 84014.

Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery, 148 S Main Street, Soda Springs, Idaho, 83276, at 3 p.m. Monday, January 27, 2020.   Online guestbook at www.russonmortuary.com