Dr. Jean Smith Obituary
Jean Smith, 83, of Helena, Montana passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Apple Rehabilitation Cooney.
Jean was born on January 15, 1932 in Buffalo, New York. She graduated from Westlake High School in Westlake, Ohio followed by six years Ohio University in Athens, Ohio where she received a Master’s degree in Ornithology. She earned a PhD in Zoology at the University of Wyoming. She taught at two small colleges before coming to Carroll College in Helena where she continued to teach until her retirement.
Jean loved the outdoors and could be seen around Helena and the surrounding area with one of her several Labrador Retrievers. She was a avid sportswoman enjoying hiking, fishing, hunting and bird watching. She was involved with the Montana Audubon of whom she was generous supporter. Jean also was involved with the Talking Books Library, Historical Society and other nature based organizations.
Jean is survived by a brother, William Finzel of Canadian Lakes, Michigan; a cousin Marjorie French of Monroe, Michigan; a nephew, Mark Finzel of Walled Lake, Michigan; and two nieces, Ann Finzel of Shorewood, Minnesota and Jennifer Finzel of Midland, Michigan.
Those who were close to Jean wish a special thank you to the staff of the Masonic Home of Montana; Aspen Gardens Assisted Living and Apple Rehab Cooney. We wish an additional appreciation to Jo Lace; Jan Miller and Rick Bartos for the years of support and assistance to Jean.
There will be a gathering to celebrate Jean’s life on Friday, May 29, 2015 from 3 to 5 pm at the Anderson and Wilke Funeral Home in Helena. Memorial gifts may be made to the Audubon Society 324 Fuller Avenue Helena, Montana 59601.
Cremation will take place in Helena and her cremated remains will be interned next to her mother’s remains in Monroe Michigan at a later date.
To offer a condolence to the family or share a memory of Jean please visit below.
Jan Shaw says
My deepest sympathy to all of Jean’s family and friends. Jean and I were neighbors west of town on Kain Quarry Drive. We shared many tales of our trips and took care of each others pets while we were traveling. We also enjoyed hikes and bird watching in the mountains behind our houses. I missed her and now am able to know she is hiking with Millie, and Sophie, and her other pets in the high mountain meadows she so loved.
Julie and Mike DalSoglio says
Jean lived next door to mom and dad west of town. She spent many Thanksgiving holidays with our family but we never saw her at Christmas because she was always on some big international trip to see wildlife and wild countries. I loved seeing her pictures and hearing about her stories. Mike, dad and jean always shared hunting stories. We will keep fond memories of Jean in our hearts.
Mary Runkel says
I knew Jean as a profound professor at Carroll College. In recent time she sat at the table at Apple Cooney with my Mother. They shared a special time of smiling. Her graciousness remained with her always. My prayers for her family and friends.
Marilyn Blakely Hayes says
I first met Jean when I enrolled in her summer Ornithology course at Carroll College. She was an amazing, passionate teacher. Her love of birds and the natural world was contagious. When I worked for FWP I often consulted Jean, especially seeking her advice as to good release sites for various Avian and Mammal species. My very favorite memory of Jean is the time she came to the shelter to advise me about the construction of a temporary habitat for a tiny, young Least Weasel. Jean squealed with delight as the animated, quick as lightning least weasel peaked its little head out of an earthen tunnel in its 40 gallon terrarium.
Jean sometimes accompanied my class on birding field trips. She captured and held the attention of 7th Graders when she shared her knowledge of the penguin species she had studied when visiting Antarctica on one of her Christmas trips.
Jean left her mark here on Earth. She was definitely a role model for me and so many others.
Pat Baird says
I had tried to contact Jean a few years ago, to no avail. I had written to her at her lovely Colorado Gulch home, which was the last address I had for her. Unfortunately, the letter did not get returned, so I never knew if she had received it or not.
Jean was instrumental in my being able to finish my PhD at U of M in Missoula. I had had no support from any of the professors there (all male) and was discouraged really by them. Someone told me about Jean and her knowledge of gulls (my study animal) and so I got in touch with her. That was the best phone call I have ever made. She took me under her wing and suggested that she and I and her lab Poco travel to various gull colonies all over Montana. Well we did and had a marvelous time, and I learned so much from her. She kick-started my enthusiasm again, and helped me get through the rest of my PhD. She suggested various ideas that I incorporated into my research, and was able to help with other suggestions about analysis. Her input was much more important than any of the input I received from my professors (more like did not receive).
Poco was a neat dog and I brought my malamute Zoe along on some of the trips, and she and Poco got along fine. Those were great summers that I will never forget-camping all over Montana and traveling in Jean’s truck, pulling her little trailer.
Jean also was responsible for my having the best recipes for Mexican food this side of the US-Mexico border. She had lived in the 4 Corners region a while, teaching at a small college there in between stints at Carroll college, and someone in her town had passed on the recipes to her. I have copied and recopied those recipes many, many times for my daughters and friends.
Jean also gave me a small starter of sourdough that she had gotten from a Basque sheep herder, and the breads and pancakes I made with it were the best ever. My former husband took it with him to Maine and he still uses it.
I am honored to have known Jean (and Poco too), and would just like to say that without her mentorship and friendship, I never would have finished my PhD and would not be where I am today. Every year I have thought of Jean and her strong positive influence on my life. What a gift her life was.
Alwynelle S. Ahl says
Jean and I were friends as doctoral students at the University of Wyoming in the early 2960s. We kept in touch over the years until my Christmas letter was returned. This obit is the first definitive word of Jeans passing. She was a dear friend and I enjoyed hearing of the positive influence she had in her life and career