R D Smitty

Rosemary Donene Smith was born in Salt Lake City on a beautifully wintery day, December 16th, 1946. As far as her parents, Don Abel & Arlene Mann Smith, were concerned, her coming changed history – this even though she would spend the whole of her life living within 50 miles of her birthplace.  She was 19 months old when a baby brother joined the family- they named him Don (after his dad) and considered the family complete. “This,” they said, “is us.”

It didn’t take long for the two kids to form a bond that would be life long, and what a duo they made! Tales of their shenanigans have echoed through the years; the best ones being repeated over and over to the delight of all who were listening.  As they grew older, they remained close, and it seemed there was quite a competition between the two to see which one could buy the other more 44 oz cups of Diet Dr Pepper. Now that they’re both gone from this life, we think it best to declare the contest a draw.

Smitty was blessed with a rare combination of gifts, talents, and abilities. Some of these were inherent, but there were others that were hard won in her life. Very real challenges and responsibilities came her way while she was still at a tender age, but, with the support of her family, she grabbed hold of life with both hands, held on tight, and worked her way through every obstacle. Smitty was a strong woman, she became that way because she had real, honest to goodness grit. The kind that carried the women in her history across the plains through blazing heat and freezing cold while wearing heavy petticoats, long skirts, and carrying a baby. The way she dealt with the challenges in her life blessed her with the wonderful ability to feel compassion and empathy, and, like her Savior, there was no judgment in her except in rising to the defense of the defenseless.  In her becoming, she grew comfortable with the name by which she had been called by everyone around her for years. So, completing the required papers, she went before the court and came out smiling.  Her name was now legally, officially, Smitty.  Everyone was happy for her except her sweet mom- to Arlene her baby girl would always be Rosemary.

Smitty was (and is) the mother of three great kids: Troy, Todd, and their sister, Tisa. Always blessed to be surrounded by love and the support of their extended family, they all learned to laugh and play while being required to work hard. Grandpa Don was a skilled horseman and trainer so there was plenty of work to do. Wise beyond her years, when Smitty wasn’t at her shop doing hair and providing psychological support to an endless line of devoted customers, she was at the barn with the horses, her kids, and her dad- and when she was working at the shop, her kids were still at the barn- safely occupied working with their grandpa. Along with her grit, Smitty had developed tenacity- whatever her kids, or life, required, she would find a way to do.  All these qualities drew people to her, and she gathered friends and beloved pets all along life’s way, treating them (including her pets) like family.

Cancer raised its ugly head for her the year she turned 50, and though it was a tough, drawn out battle she came out the other side more determined than ever, though they had warned her that the cancer would eventually be back. It was in the blessing of these added years that she welcomed the addition of grandchildren, and then great-grandchildren, into her heart and her life. Then, in January of 2020 and despite her fixed determination, her cancer recurred. She fought it until she decided, in a very Smitty-like way, that she didn’t want too anymore. In her passing she has left an empty space that will never be filled and created memories for family and friends that will never be forgotten.

Smitty was preceded in death by her dad, Don A Smith, her mother Arlene Mann, and her beloved brother, Don M Smith.  She is survived by her sons Troy (Merilee) Anderson Farmington, Todd (Rayelynn) Anderson Hooper, and daughter Tisa (Scott) Penrod Plain City; 9 grandchildren; Matt, Taylor (Ricki), Jaxson (Rachel), Sydney (Landen), Mhauri, Demi (Brady), Cheyenne, and Madison as well as 10 great-grandchildren; Braxton, Izzy, Axel, Brystol, Riggin, Chesney, Ellinor, Evelyn, McCall, and a baby girl (Oakley) expected in July. Her family expresses their gratitude for the angels of Hospice, thankful too that Smitty didn’t need them for very long.

A viewing for family and friends will be held from 6 to 8 PM on Tuesday evening, June 14th at Russon Bros Mortuary, 1941 North Main St in Farmington, to be followed by a graveside service at the Farmington City Cemetery, 500 So 200 E, on Wednesday, June 15th, at 11 AM. (Please note there will be no viewing hours at the mortuary that morning.)  In lieu of flowers the family invites you to join them in honoring Smitty by making a contribution toward the purchase and placement of a headstone fitting for her.  Those donations can be made to the Venmo account @anderson-troy. Though she has left us behind, we know that she is now, in every sense, really on her way! We love you Smitty!!