Wendy's Cheeseburger

Today's discussion started off by grandpa sharing with us how spooked he was.  He had started reading a  book that takes place in the four corners region of Arizona and it was a ghost story of sorts.  He told us that he was sure glad he read that book after he had spent a good amount of time in that area.  People would just go off by themselves and disappear into thin air, as it was.  It didn't stop him from settling right back into the book before we left, though :)

Grandpa also shared with us a time that he was taking a class from Hugh Nibley at BYU.  Too bad I didn't record it or I could have shared it here.  Next time I will bring the recorder.  I do remember this little tidbit, though: When grandpa started at BYU, there were approximately 2,000 students enrolled and when he graduated the numbers increased to 7,000!

Grandma's Obituary

Marie L Smith
September 10, 1922 - July 26, 2013

Our sweet wife, mother, grandmother and friend passed away on July 26th. Marie touched so many lives for good. Her kindness and genuine interest were especially felt by the young people she taught in many religion classes in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon).

Marie was born Sept 10, 1922 to Charles William Lamb and Eldora Mae Neel Lamb in Raymond, Alberta, Canada, the youngest of their seven children. She graduated from LDS Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah. During World War II Marie served as a missionary for the LDS Church in Saskatchewan, Canada. She and her companion of 66 years, Grant Smith, were married on Marie's birthday in 1946 in the Cardston, Alberta temple.

Mom's humor and wisdom will be missed by her daughters, Diane Spencer (Bud) and Nancy Goodliffe (Kent). Marie was preceded in death by their daughter, Marilyn Anderson (Jack), who passed away in 1999. In addition to her daughters, she is survived by her husband, Grant, seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Friends may call on the family at Ballard Funeral Home from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. on Thurs., Aug. 1 or prior to the funeral service from 9:00 - 10:15 a.m. on Fri., Aug. 2. The funeral will be held at 10:30 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2201 West Country Club Road, with Bishop Jeff Savage officiating. Burial in Ft. Stanton Merchant Marines and Military Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers are Bud Spencer, Jack Anderson, R.J. Spencer, Chris Cooley, Rob Windell and Everisto Lucero. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Magil, Pat Magil, A.R. Medaris, Jack Box, Rod Price and Dan Baker.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gentiva Hospice Care, 400 N. Pennsylvania, Roswell, NM 88201.

Dick and Helen Walker

Riverton, UT Friday, August 02, 2013 Dear Smith family, We will miss Marie so much. She was such a dear friend and a wonderful person. I consider it a privilege that I was blessed to spend so much time with her for 25 years. Sincere sympathy to her family. Dick and Helen Walker

Nancy L. Salas

Albuquerque, NM Thursday, August 01, 2013 What a wonderful neighbor for 28 years. A beautiful person I enjoyed visiting with. My deepest condolences go out to Mr. Smith and family.

Erin Russell

Santa Fe, TX Thursday, August 01, 2013 Marie was a beautiful model of Love, for family and friends. What a wonderful life lived. I will always hold her close to my heart.

Allen and Jan Young

Orem, UT Thursday, August 01, 2013 Dear Grant, Diane, and Nancy, We are so sad to hear of your loss of Marie. We loved her too and will miss her. She was a wonderful friend and a kind, loving., valiant daughter of her Heavenly Father. We have precious memories of her and all of you. We wish we could be there, but we will be in spirit. Our love and prayers are with you, Always, Allen and Jan

Julie Down

West Jordan, UT Wednesday, July 31, 2013 My thoughts are with you. How comforting to know your father was with her til the end.

Trudy Reed

The Colony, TX Wednesday, July 31, 2013 Nancy and family, We are so sorry to hear of this great loss in your lives and our prayers are with you all. May God comfort and hold you dear at this time.

Jim & hope Sombke

Roswell, NM Wednesday, July 31, 2013 She was a dear friend, we will miss here very much

Patrick box

Pleasant Grove, UT Tuesday, July 30, 2013 Love you, Marie and family. It is fun to look back on all the times growing up where we visited back and forth and all the church activities we shared together. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May the Lord bless you and keep you. Wish we could be there.... Love, Patrick and Marlene Box

Grandpa's First Selfie

The first Thursday that Grandpa Moved up here to Utah, I was introducing him to my phone and all the technological advances that have been going on.  He was quite surprised to learn that you could take a picture of yourself with the phone.

Grandma Smith enters the Nursing Home

Mom or Nan, can you fill in the details about this pictures?

Dakota & Mel Visit Roswell April 2012

Grandpa introduced Dakota to Spanish Olives.  I didn't think that Dakota would enjoy the taste much, but he sure did and kept asking grandpa to go to the fridge and give him more.  To this day, Dakota can down a jar of olives by himself in a day.

 Grandpa relaxing in his Lazyboy.  I think he was reading New Mexico magazine, one of his favorites.  When he moved here to Utah, he asked me if I was a subscriber to the magazine.  I was afraid to admit that is wasn't on my subscription list.

Here is Dakota cuddling with his Great Grandpa.

Grandma & Grandpa Visit Utah September 2007

 This Family Picture was taken on a nice September morning in the Jordan River Parkway outside of mom and dad's house. 2007. (the ages are guesses...please correct if not right)

 Todd, Melody, Abigail (1) & Connor (2) Riches | R.J., Bekah & Mylee (1) Spencer | Bud & Diane Spencer | Grant & Marie Smith | Beckie Anderson | Nancy, Kent & Rachel (10) Goodliffe) | Jeanette, Grant, Yoshi (14), Will (8) & Seiji (6) Spencer | Karen Spencer

Grandma & Grandpa Visit Utah April 2005

These were some shots that were captured when Connor and I surprised the family with a visit to Utah just in time to see Rachel get baptized.

It sure was fun for Connor and I to stroll into South Towne Mall without anyone suspecting us.  We kept it a secret from everyone in the family, except Grant, who picked us up at the airport and delivered us to the mall where all the girls were doing their traditional shopping trip.  We arrived in the Food Court and rolled up with his stroller, the initial reactions were quite lame, as I don't think it registered in anyone's minds that I was actually there (Todd and I were living in Hawaii at the time).  What a wonderful (but chilly) vacation for us!

 Diane, Melody, Grandma (Marie) and Connor at Rachel's Baptism.

 Grandma holding onto Connor, who is just about as big as she is.

 Grandma giving Connor a good burping.

Grandma (Marie) and Grandpa (Grant) having a special moment with Connor (3 months old).