Iris Smith, age 96 of Helena

On the morning of July 28, 2016, Iris M. Smith peacefully passed away in the presence of her daughter Connie, at Big Sky Care Center after a traumatic injury.

Iris was born to John and Della Martin on May 3, 1920 in Leaksville, North Carolina. She spent two years there with her parents and sister, Nell, before they moved to Roanoke, Virginia. She graduated from Jefferson High School in Roanoke and then went to Kennetts Business School where she met Albert A. Smith Jr. They married January 25, 1941 and had two daughters, Connie and Virginia. Due to Al’s work with VA Hospitals, they moved from Roanoke to Salisbury, North Carolina; Bonham, Texas; Sheridan, Wyoming and retired in Grand Junction, Colorado and later St. George, Utah. Iris and Al spent 65 wonderful years together until he passed on June 12, 2006. Iris moved to Helena, Montana to be closer to family following her 90^th birthday celebration.

Iris had many interests including knitting, crocheting, embroidery, sewing: all kinds of handwork. When her daughters were little, she made a lot of their clothes especially for special holidays. She made the curtains for their house in Texas. She was a good cook and loved to bake. Her specialties were lemon and chocolate meringue pies.

Iris loved going to the beach, walking on the sand and building sand castles and swimming in the ocean. On one of the family visits to the beach, they were excited to meet Billy Two Rivers who was a professional wrestler. She was so impressed with his size.

Iris was an avid bowler and she and Al were on many leagues during their married life. They had many friends from their bowling days. She was in many tournaments. Having developed friendships from all over the county because of her travels, she still communicated with some of these lifelong friends.

In June of 2010 she moved to SonHeaven. When she first moved there she brightened the lives of everyone by singing and dancing down the halls and even playing the Easter bunny at Easter time for the little children who came to do Easter egg hunts. SonHeaven became her life in Helena where she received loving care from the staff in support of her decreasing dementia. Her daughters are grateful for the loving care she received from awesome staff angels at SonHeaven.

Iris is preceded in death by her parents, her sister, and her husband, Al. She is survived by her daughters, Connie Woldtvedt (Sid) of Helena, Mt. and Ginger Adsit (Dan) of Sheridan, Wy. And 7 grandsons and 1 granddaughter and 1 great granddaughter.

A memorial service will be held in the near future at SonHeaven Assisted Living.

Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Iris.

Service Schedule

Celebration of Her Life

2:00 p.m.

Saturday August 6, 2016

SonHeaven Assisted Living

2041 Ferndale Lane

Helena , Montana 59601

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