Tanya Marie Smetana

Tanya (Tatjana) Marie Smetana, 72, of Hygiene, Colorado, passed away on February 21, 2020. She was born in Karlovy Vary, Czechoslovakia, on November 15, 1947. She grew up in Prague until the age of 21, when Czechoslovakia was invaded in 1968 by the Soviet Army to suppress the Prague Spring, a period of hope for freedom from Communism. Tanya took a once in a lifetime opportunity, when her sister, 20 years her senior, sent her an invitation to California, USA. Not only could she not speak English, she didn't have a dime to her name. During the first week of her stay with her sister's family, Tanya met the love of her life, Jiri, at a Christmas Party. Jiri and Tanya were married in Walnut Creek, California, on September 5, 1970. They moved from Northern California to San Diego for four years before moving to Hygiene, Colorado, in 1974, with 1-year old baby Jiri Jr. Two years later their son Robert was born. Jiri and Tanya were sworn in as United States citizens in Denver, Colorado, in 1977, and were always proud to be a part of America. Tanya graduated from Walnut Creek Beauty School and worked for Victor's Beauty Salon. In San Diego, she worked in a style chair at the Broadway Department Store salon. In 1974, Tanya joined Hair Crimpers in Longmont for six years. In 1977, she attended the S.F. Vidal Sassoon Academy where she met the stylist in person. She opened Hairport Salon Ltd in June 1980, and later added spa services, including massages, facials and skin care by Christine Valmy of New York. She owned and operated Hairport Salon Ltd for 22 years.While working as a stylist for 40 years in Longmont, Tanya was President of the Longmont Cosmetology Association and a member of the National Hairdresser's Cosmetology Association. She was recommended and documented in the 1987/88 prestigious publication Marquis Who's Who. Upon opening her business, Tanya supported many programs in the community, including volunteering for the Hospital Auxiliary to provide hair cutting and styling services free of charge for 17 years. For 18 years, she donated to the annual Christmas tree for Tiny Tim Learning Center.She and her husband Jiri lived their lives fully and traveled to 80 countries. She perfected her cooking and baking through the years for family and friends to enjoy. Her passion was reading history and biographies of famous people.Her family was her pride. She preceded Jiri, her husband of 49 years, in death. She is survived by her eldest son Jiri Jr. (Hayley) and grandchildren Shelby, Kinley and Colt of Texas, her younger son Robert (Melissa) and grandson Kingston of Colorado, and sister Katja of Czechia. She is preceded in death by Robert's (Melissa's) daughter Emma and her sister Georgina.A memorial service celebrating the lives of Tanya and Jiri will be held Thursday, March 12th at 2:00 pm in the Ahlberg Funeral Chapel, 326 Terry St, Longmont, Colorado. It is requested any gifted flowers are to be sent to Ahlberg on the morning of March 12th.