Irene Mildred Smith

Irene Mildred Smith

April 09, 1908 - August 15, 2006

Irene Mildred Smith

April 09, 1908 - August 15, 2006

Obituary

Irene Mildred Smith

Irene was born on April 9, 1908, in Tacoma, WA, to Samuel and Della Elder. She had one brother, Delmar Elder. She married Walter Smith in 1923. Walter and Irene had two daughters, Rhea and Joan. Irene loved being a wife and mom, sewing for her daughters and tending her garden in Everett, WA. She also worked in a portrait studio in Everett. It was there that she learned to color black and white portraits. She used this skill even into the 1970’s for her grandchildren’s graduation pictures.

Irene and Walter moved to California in the mid 1950’s to be near Rhea and her family. Grandma enjoyed few things more than being with her daughters and their families. Almost equal to that was a good trip to a nursery and buying new plants for her beautiful yard in Long Beach. A close third was shopping especially for dancing shoes, and getting her hair and nails done.

Walter and Irene enjoyed trips to New Orleans and Hawaii. They liked to go dancing with friends and entertaining their daughters, sons-in-law, grandkids, and great-grandkids in their colorful backyard. Irene worked at a portrait studio in Long Beach, CA.

In 1993, Walter and Irene moved to Vancouver, WA, to be near two granddaughters and their families. It was there that both Irene and Walter trusted Jesus as their Savior. When Walt passed away in 2001, they had been married 73 years. She moved to Seal Beach, CA, in 2005 to live with her daughter, Rhea, and son-in-law, Jim.

Irene had a long and happy life during which she never lost her sense of humor or her sense of adventure. She went out on a wakeboard boat ride to see her great-grandchildren wakeboard, and went sailing on the trimaran sailboat her grandson built. She was a delight to all she met. Everyone commented on how nice she looked and her sweet nature. Irene was dear to many friends of her daughters and grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by her family and many friends. Irene is survived by her daughters Rhea and Joan, and Rhea’s husband, Jim Turner. Irene had 6 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

She passed away on August 15, 2006, in Los Alamitos, CA.
Her goal on her last day on earth was to see her husband in heaven. Mission accomplished.

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14 responses to Irene Mildred Smith

  1. What a beautiful woman and her legacy is her family. It was a delight for us to be a part of her community and we look forward to seeing her bright smile again. May God’s blessings pour out upon you all during this time. Much love to you.

  2. Dear Irene…..I am so glad I got to know you when you lived here in Vancouver. It was so fun visiting with you at your apartment near Vancouver Mall, with Kim.
    You always, and I mean always, looked so pretty and fashionable. A true lady! I know you are at peace now with your beloved husband who I never had the pleasure of meeting. Bless you, dear Grandma Irene!

  3. Irene had the sweetest smile that brighten up her face. We know that Jesus is enjoying her wonderful smile now.

  4. Jenna Moerk says:

    Jeff – I am so sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful woman. I have truely enjoyed the little stories about her that you have shared with me. She lived a fantastic lifetime! I love the fact that she can now be reunited with her husband and they both will have a home at El Toro. Still, rolling around in the trunk of the car is an awesome place of rest. That was a great story! I am sure they will both be happy there. My heart goes out to you and your family. How lucky you were to have her in your life.

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