Lucille Smith, age 88, of Helena

Lucille Christine Smith, age 88, passed away peacefully at St Peters Hospital the night of 9/20/17 from congestive heart failure. She had a very special connection with her Granddaughter, Tessa, and she was in loving attendance at the time of her death.

Lucille was born 9/7/1929 in Factoryville, Pennsylvania. She was the sixth of seven children and grew up in a busy farming family. She loved farm life and all of its activities. Her lifelong joy was seeing new lambs and calves every spring.  She met Bob after his discharge from the Navy and they soon had a special connection. They were married after her graduation from nursing school and started their family. They lived in several locations following Bob’s career path. Eventually they landed in West Yellowstone fulfilling their dream of owning their own business.  She always had faith and trust in Bob and supported his endeavors while making a loving home for her family.

Lucille received her nursing degree from Scranton General Hospital, Scranton, Pennsylvania, and had a long and rewarding nursing career. In 1972, Montana State University was starting their first Nurse Practitioner Program and requested that she attend since she was located in a rural community. She excelled with this program and practiced for many years as a nurse practitioner in West Yellowstone. She worked alongside a physician there for many years but was frequently the only health care provider for that community.  She retired in 1998 when she was a Nursing Supervisor at the Wyoming State Hospital in Evanston, Wyoming. Soon after, she returned to Montana where she became involved with the Foster Grandparent Program and was a volunteer there for many years. She was well known as “Grandma Lucille” at Rossiter Elementary School and was loved by many students and teachers as well.  For over 15 years she helped many students learn to read and gave many others the love and special “Grandma” nurturing and attention that they badly needed.  Her failing heath in the last few years forced her to give up this work that she so dearly loved. She did continue to help many students anonymously with care packages and special gifts.

In her later years, she enjoyed planting flowers with her son Mark, sitting on Dale and Devon’s deck watching the view, coloring and creating art, and laughing with her dearly loved grandchildren. She always enjoyed talking about her family life in Pennsylvania when she was growing up. Christmas was her favorite holiday and it was always her mission to make it a special occasion for everyone. She was the Matriarch and Center of the Smith family. She will always be remembered for her generosity, beautiful spirit, and supportive nature that she provided to all of her family and her many friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Christine and her children Heath (Tasha Jones), Seth, and Tessa. Lucille’s sons include Brad, Mark, and Dale (Devon Hartman). She is also survived by her brothers Ralph and Dick Naylor (Linda) as well as her sister-in law Audrey Naylor. She also has many well-loved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Bob, her parents Ralph and Rhoda Naylor, her sister, Emma Truman, her sister Roberta, and brothers Bob and Don Naylor.

The family would like to thank the staff of St Peters Hospital, the staff at Big Sky Care Center, and Dr Kirksey for their kind and special care that she received these pasts few months.

A reception will be held at 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 27^th in the Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. In lieu of flowers the family asks you make a donation to the YWCA, 501 N. Park, Helena, MT 59601.

Service Schedule

Reception

12:00 p.m.

Wednesday September 27, 2017

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Avenue

Helena, Montana 59602

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