The extended family of Dorothy Marjorie Callan Smith wish to announce her passing on December 18, 2015. Her indomitable spirit left her weakened body around dusk. And she returned to God.
Dorothy was born to Dennis and Rose Callan on August 2, 1924 in Anaconda, Montana. She attended schools in Anaconda in the 1930s, among aunts, uncles, cousins and friends: the Brunells, Burgesses, Connors’, Barthalomews, and Nilands. Due to her mother’s illness, she attended first grade at St. Vincent’s Academy (Immaculata Hall) in Helena for the school year where her aunt was a teaching nun. Her great grandchildren attended Montessori pre-school in the same building decades later. She attended Anaconda Central and Anaconda High Schools, graduating from AHS in 1941. Dorothy enrolled in Montana State College at Bozeman and graduated in with a degree in Micro Bacteriology.
Dorothy married Victor A. Smith, a Butte native, who had just returned home from World War II. They were married December 27, 1947 in St. Paul’s Church, Anaconda. After their marriage, Vic was hired by the Standard Oil Company in Whiting, Indiana.
Their first child, James Edward, was born in Anaconda in November, 1948. Five more children were born to Vic and Dorothy: Mary Denise, Therese Marie, Brian Joseph, Margaret Mary and Patricia Marie. Vic and Dorothy bought a house in Griffith. Vic commuted to work at the oil refinery in Whiting where he had a 35 year career as a chemical engineer. Dorothy remained at home taking care of the kids, her neighbors and their children. She was the neighborhood nurse, counselor, godmother and all around go-to person. They were active in St. Mary’s Parish and made many lifelong friends during their years in Griffith.
Upon her children’s graduation from Bishop Noll Institute, Dorothy went back to school to study Medical Technology. She was employed for several years at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Hammond, Indiana, as a medical technologist with her best friend, Delores Gerdes. Following Vic’s retirement in 1985, the couple moved to Big Fork, Montana. They were active in St. Catherine’s Parish, and volunteered at the Big Fork community food bank. Vic died suddenly in Big Fork in 1995.
After her husband’s passing, Dorothy moved to Helena, where she resided until her death. She faithfully attended St. Helena Cathedral Parish, and volunteered at the Cathedral, the Montana Historical Society, and the Holter Museum of Art.
Dorothy is survived by her sister Margaret (Peggy) Johnson, Kalispell, Mont., her six children James and his wife Katherine of Helena, Mont. (son Jedediah and daughter Nanette); Mary Denise of Vancouver, Wash.; Terri and her husband Peter of Held of Chandler, Ariz. (daughter Sarah, sons Daniel and Matthew); Brian of Missoula, Mont; (son Callan and daughter Bridget); Margaret Mary and her wife Jonnie of Vancouver, Wash.; and Patricia Roe of Salem, Ore. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Kavi, Bailey and Wyatt, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins, all who will miss her.
Her diminished health required a lot of care and coordination of care this past year or so. The family deeply thanks all the loving professionals from Touchmark, St. Peter’s Hospital, Big sky Care Center and Rocky Mountain Hospice who ministered to Dorothy in her final months.
A vigil service is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Monday, December 21st at Retz Funeral Home, 315 E. 6th Avenue, Helena. A Funeral Mass will be 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 22nd at the Cathedral of Saint Helena, 530 N. Ewing Street. There will be a reception immediately following Mass at Jorgenson’s Inn & Suites, 1714 11th Avenue, Helena. Donations in her memory can be made to Helena Food Share or to the St. Mary’s College in Leavenworth, Kansas.
Service Schedule
Vigil
5:00 p.m.
Monday December 21, 2015
Retz Fuenral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 22, 2015
Cathedral of Saint Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following Mass
Tuesday December 22, 2015
Jorgenson's Inn & Suites
1714 11th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Vigil
5:00 p.m.
Monday December 21, 2015
Retz Fuenral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday December 22, 2015
Cathedral of Saint Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following Mass
Tuesday December 22, 2015
Jorgenson's Inn & Suites
1714 11th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
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AJ says
My sincerest condolences to Smith family. May you take comfort in the words at Revelation 21:3,4, which promises a time when “death will be no more, neither will mourning, nor outcry, nor pain be anymore.” God will surely fulfill this promise and comfort you during this difficult time.
Dave Gerdes says
My heart aches for the Smith family. Your support and love when my mom died was overwhelming. I have as many memories of Vic and Dot as I do of KG and Dolores. I was blessed to have grown up with two families, when so many people don’t even have one.
Mike Gerdes says
Like my brother Dave, I always considered the Smith’s to be my “second family” and Dorothy to be my “second mom.” She had such a presence and such a great smile and laugh and twinkle in her eyes… so welcoming and hospitable. Thanks to all of the Smith children for sharing her and Vic with us all of those growing up years. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.. I have great faith that Dorothy’s been joyfully re-united with Vic and that they’re enjoying the rewards of loving and faithful lives well-lived. Such great examples to us all.
Craig Gerdes says
Dorothy was a wonderful person. She was wise, witty and honest. Dorothy and Vic were outstanding Parents, Grandparents, Great-grandparents, Friends, members of their Church and Communities. She made the World a better place. Everywhere she lived her love and the goodwill were felt by many.
Love you Dorothy…
Thank you Dorothy…
Anne Yaeger says
Smith Family,
I was so sorry to hear about your mom. She was a wonderful person. I recall once many years ago when Ralph and I went to a wedding, and Dorothy was there. I told her I liked her perfume very much. Later that week she bought me a bottle of the same perfume. I still remember that, even though it probably happened about thirty years ago.
If a person gets points in heaven for attending mass, your mom will be ushered to the front of the line. I will miss seeing her with Jim on Sundays sitting in the same pew and getting to the cathedral even earlier than my dad.
She was special, and she will be missed.
Anne Yaeger
Charles Ruzicka says
Dear Smith family, We are saddened to learn of Dorothy’s passing. My parents and Dorothy & Vic were friends for a very long time. My father, Chuck Ruzicka was a MSC grad and was working at Standard Oil in Whiting when Vic & Dorothy arrived. Because of their Montana connection and Standard Oil they kept up this friendship even though the Ruzickas moved to Mandan, ND with Standard Oil in the 50’s before moved back to Indiana in 1970. I remember Dorothy and Vic being very kind to my mother when she was battling cancer and then helping my mother and I when my father passed away.
We truly got to know Dorothy when my family and I moved to Helena in 2001 and my wife Vicki was Dorothy’s nurse. Vicki and Dorothy truly enjoyed each other and we had Dorothy over to our house for dinner numerous times.
Dorothy will be missed. She lived a life that mattered. Blessings, Charles & Vicki Ruzicka
Jonnie S Hyde says
I first met Dorothy in 2003 when I was introduced as Meg’s partner, soon to be wife. We knew our relationship would be a challenge for her, but she considered, she prayed, and she welcomed me into the family. Since I am retired, I had the chance to spend a lot of time with her this summer, when she came to visit us in Washington. We spent a lot of time watching sports and a lot of time discussing the sad state of the world these days, topics ranging from climate change to immigration to presidential politics. She was such a bright, inquisitive, thoughtful woman. And she was witty, and she was completely devoted to walking the talk of her faith. I admire her so much, and I can’t imagine a bettor mentor or a better friend. I will miss her terribly.
Steve Armstrong & Linnea says
We met Vic and Dorothy when they moved to Bigfork Harbor in the mid-1980s. The fact that we lived in Helena at the time and commuted to Bigfork on weekends and during the summer months cemented our friendship. They were a delightful couple and a joy to be around. We went to several places with them during those years, but mainly enjoyed visiting with them at the Harbor and in Bigfork. We met many of you at Vic’s service in Bigfork in 1995, but that was twenty years ago. While we lost track of Dorothy after she moved from Bigfork in 1995, we still have great memories of the times we had with her and Victor. We are saddened by her passing, but know that she and Vic are together again. Our deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Keren McCord says
Mary Denise and Family
My name is Keren McCord and I work with Mary Denise at OHSU. Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Keren McCord
Chuck Weisser says
I met Dorothy in 1981, shortly after meeting her daughter, Meg, in graduate school. Meg and I became best friends and I got to meet Dorothy and Vic soon thereafter. I was a bit concerned that Dorothy may have difficulty with my being gay, which was still a difficult thing to talk about and to come out in 1981, even if you weren’t devoutly Catholic. My fears were quickly laid to rest. I was immediately welcomed into the home as if I were one of her own children. She provided me with such love and acceptance from day one, that my relationship with both Dorothy and Vic was incredibly healing. She is a model for how I would like to lead my life, intelligent, kind, caring, giving, quick witted and full of love. But don’t try and break a rule in pinochle – she’ll catch you. I will truly miss you Dorothy.
susan hedlund says
I too, work with MaryDenise at OHSU. Please know that you are all in our thoughts during this time of loss of your beloved mom.
Susan Hedlund
Meg says
My sister’s and I were privileged to be with my mother during her last week of life. We had many wonderful talks. But one time as I sat by her bed, crying, she woke up. Dorothy looked over and said don’t cry for me. She said she had a wonderful childhood with great parents and spent her time surrounded by uncles, aunts and cousins. She said she married a wonderful man, has wonderful loving friends and was loved by and loved her children, grandchildren and her great grandchildren. So, she said, don’t cry for me because I have had a wonderful life. I said to get that I was crying for me, for how much I will miss her and for having to continue my journey without her. My mother was one of the kindest most considerate women I have ever known and I hope to continue to follow in her footsteps.
Barbara Glidewell says
Barbara Glidewell says:
Working with Mary Denise so many years at OHSU, I have seen how you go out of your way to help and care for others. Your inspiration must surely come from your mother’s example of love of family and service. Please know you are in my thoughts right now and be comforted to feel your mothers spirit close beside you. May the soft winds of Heaven gently caress your shoulders and carry your mother’s tender ways with you always. Barbara Glidewell
Betty Seitzinger says
I met Dorothy and Vic in 1948, when I began babysitting for their family. I was 11 and Jim was 7 months old. I was a big part of the family til my senior year in high school. I cared for all of them except Patty. I had my first child the same year she was born. Sooooo many sweet memories. They were like an Aunt and Uncle and everyone loved them.
Thanks to the family for contacting me at the end so I could say goodbye to Dorothy, a true friend ( And thanks to our local Post Office for finding me for Mary Denise!)
Betty & Carmin Seitzinger