Helen Smith

She married David Blythe in 1969 and moved to Arizona to start her family. In 1997, Helen married the love of her life, Grover Smith, and they were married until his death in 2004. Through the years, she held various positions, but her workplace wasn't as important as the relationships she built along the way. Everywhere she went, Helen made friends...many of them lifelong. Helen retired from Banner Health in 2012.That same year, she sold her home and moved into the "barn" in her son David’s backyard. She described the home to her sisters at the time she moved in, as "a barn that he moved the horses out of and her into," which became a running joke because it was truly the perfect place, custom built for her to spend her retirement years with grandkids and great grandkids around every corner. She later got caught in her own story when her sisters came to town for a surprise birthday party thrown in her honor.

Helen had a full life filled with many stories. She touched many with her infectious spirit. She was always ready to sit a spell and share stories over coffee...or to sit and read a good book.

She loved her family dearly...those by blood or by choice; she loved them just the same.On Monday, August 15, 2022, Helen went Home to be with the Lord...at the age of 77 years. She was welcomed at the gates by those who had preceded her in death. Her parents, her two brothers, Earl and Donald, her husband Grover, and her loyal pup Carly.She is survived by her sisters Lavern Casbeer, Wanda Knudson; her sisters in-law Patricia McCaleb (Donald), Doris Tillery (Earl); her children Laura Walker (Tim), David Blythe (Evonne), Renee Kelly, Jose Trujillo (Angie), and Sonny Smith (Suzie). She is also survived by her grandchildren Ryan Thornton (Briana), Brandon Thornton (Kelsey), Alyson Grimstad (Erik), Lauren Thornton, Sarah Walker, Abigail Walker and Jacob Trujillo. She also had six great grandchildren (Addison, Payton, Jaxon, Dean, Braeden, and Remi)...along with many others she loved and adored.

Helen was loved and admired by her family and many many friends. She served as the North Star for many that looked to her for guidance and direction...trusting that she would always lead them true! She has shown us The Way through a life well lived.

Helen did not want a funeral, and no formal services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer society in her name.A celebration of life is planned for mid-October in Litchfield Park, Arizona.