Donna Smith
courtesy photo
Donna Smith
KALISPELL — Donna Carolyn Smith (Dolly), age 82, was released onward to her next journey beyond on May 29, 2021, while residing at Beehive Homes in Kalispell.
Donna was born in her parents’ home in Ronan on Sept. 11, 1938. She graduated from Ronan High School. During her high school years, she worked on a berry farm during the summer on Whidbey Island, Washington, to earn money for clothes.
Donna married Paul Robin Smith on Sept. 27, 1959, in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Together they shared a romance that spanned almost 40 years while working a ranch in Irvine Flats. That love never waned in Donna’s heart for another 22 years following Paul’s passing. Donna moved from the ranch shortly after Paul’s passing to a home outside of Polson, overlooking Flathead Lake and the Mission Mountains, where she resided for 20 years.
Mostly sweet, but with a hint of salt when needed, Donna was an unwavering pillar who stood strong under the most challenging of circumstances. Donna defined the word “selfless,” giving to others over herself. A hard worker, she achieved more between the hours of 6-8 a.m. than most people did during their entire day.
She loved to garden. Her family enjoyed the fruits of her labor in the form of every variety of pickles you can imagine, bread items and hands-down the best pies ever (huckleberry, cherry, peach and apple).
Black licorice was a flavor treat to her tongue in the form of candy, ice cream and Black Jack chewing gum. She loved corn, fried chicken, strawberries and roast beef, but the exact opposite was true of cooked carrots. To the very end cheesecake was one dessert she couldn’t get enough of anytime of the day.
Her favorite movie was the “Sound of Music” and TV classics like “I Love Lucy,” “Gunsmoke,” Gilmore Girls,” the soap opera “Days of Our Lives” and the “Ellen DeGeneres” talk show.
Donna loved animals and they loved her. Out on the ranch there was a menagerie of critters. She had her favorites like her Tennessee Walking Horse and a cat named “Brandy.” Her favorite pet growing up was a dog named “Tippy.”
Pinochle was her favorite card game and she enjoyed jigsaw puzzles as well, playing softball in the hay field with her kids, picking huckleberries and shooting hoops.
There was hardly a day when Donna did not wear a Pendleton jacket. Her closet was full with them, red being her color of choice.
Donna will be remembered the most for her never-ending love and support of her family and friends. Survivors include daughter, Becky Stockton (Tom); twin sons, Daniel Smith and Richard Smith (Jim Reid); and son, Duane Smith; seven grandchildren, Tyler, Marissa, Azia, Dayne, Reeve, Hudson, Haden and four great-grandchildren, London, Robert Paul, Eva and Hazel, and her brother, Gary Bowman (Kaye).
She is preceded in death by her parents, Myrtle and Eva Bowman; her brother, Merton Bowman; her sister, Sharon Dorr; and her husband, Paul Smith.
The family would like to thank the staff at Beehive Homes in Kalispell, (who affectionately called her Miss Donna), her caregiver, Lourina Dupuis; and Frontier Hospice, for their service in her care.
Donations in Donna’s name can be made to Frontier Hospice/Kalispell. Call Dianne or Jenna at 406-755-4923.
A “Celebration of Life” for Donna is set for Sept. 11, 2021, location to be determined. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.
So long, never goodbye, until we meet again. Go in peace wonderful lady. We love you.
