Hope Irene Smith

Hope Irene Smith, age 96, passed away at home January 25, 2015. Born in 1918 in Watertown, South Dakota, to Charles and Irene Williams, she attended Mankato Teachers College, graduating in 1938, and attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1944. Hope served in the Army during WWII, attaining the rank of Second Lieutenant. Hope lived in South Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, South Carolina and California before moving with her husband, Leo to Washington State in 1947. There she continued her nursing career, ending with 20 years as a School Nurse for Everett Public Schools. She was a founding member of St Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in South Everett and a lifelong member of Catholic Daughters. Hope will be remembered as someone that fully participated in life. She received a teaching degree and taught in a one room school house, returned to school and received a nursing degree and joined the army during WWII. After the war she married, moved to Washington, started a family and continued her nursing career. In retirement she traveled to China, Korea, Australia, the UK, Ireland, etc. In her 80's she belonged to a bowling league, bridge club, book club, and did Tai Chi and Water Aerobics while being an active member of Catholic Daughters and the WA State Retired Teachers Association. She will be missed by her family and friends that were a part of her busy life. Survivors include her sister, Pat (Tom) Zimmerman, Centralia, Wash.; son, Bruce (GayAnn) Smith, Auburn, Wash., Michael (Edie) Smith, Everett; and grandchildren, Sarah Smith, Ian Smith and Erin Smith. Hope was preceded in death by her sister, Elaine Williams; brother, Willard (Bill) Williams; and daughter, and son-in-law, Marilyn and Chuck Valenta. Services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday February 6, 2015 at St Mary Magdalen Catholic Church at 8517 7th Ave SE, Everett, WA. Relatives and friends are welcome. Thanks to Olga Feldman, Tish Shong of Catholic Services and the staff of Providence Hospice for their help and support.