Mildred Millie Nora Smith

Mildred Nora Smith (Hutton) passed away on January 5, 2015, surrounded by her family. She was born on August 7, 1916 in a log house northeast of Keating, Oregon to parents Oran and Alma Hutton. Millie, as she was affectionately known by family and friends was raised with her six brothers and sisters on the family’s ranch (in Keating) near Baker City, Oregon. She helped with the milking, gardening, cooking and many other ranch chores. After high school she attended Beauty College in Boise Idaho and after graduation she was employed as a beautician in the College Beauty Salon. She later received her Oregon license and worked in Baker and LaGrande. In 1949 she moved to Portland Oregon where she worked as dental assistant in the Westmorland area near the Monarch Rexall Pharmacy. This is where she met the owner, Alfred V. Smith. Their romance blossomed and they married in Seattle Washington in 1953. Daughter Jan was born in 1957 and they raised her in Portland later moving to Milwaukie. Millie worked many years operating the drugstore fountain and also as a clerk in the drug department until it sold and they retired in 1984.

Millie enjoyed collecting, tending to her flowers and plants in the yard and was a gifted crafter. Her beautiful Ming Tree creations have become treasured by her family. Millie also enjoyed watching the Portland Trail Blazers together with her son-in-law, Greg, and was thrilled when she attended some home games with her nephew, Jack Steiger. She loved to visit family, travel and explore the Pacific Northwest and Canada. In 1974, Millie’s dream came true when she and Jan traveled to Hawaii. Most of all, Millie will be remembered for her unconditional love of her family. She always put others first and her sweet personality and humor will be missed by many. Millie was a woman of faith and her family takes comfort in that she is in the arms of Jesus.

Millie was preceded in death by her husband: Alfred Smith; her parents: Alma and Oran Hutton; her sisters: Bernice and Gladys Steiger and her brothers: Wally and Bus Hutton.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law: Jan and Greg Watkins; her grandson: Brendan; her sister: Viola Brue; her brother and sister-in-law: Duane and Marilyn Hutton and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held soon. Please check back for details. She will be laid to rest at Lincoln Memorial Park.