Patsy Welker Smith, a fiercely independent woman to the end, made sure she spent Mother's Day with family, both here in mortality and in eternity. She passed peacefully at her daughter's home on May 13th, 2018. "No matter where her story went, she never gave up on herself or others."
Born in Safford, Arizona, on November 9th, 1931 to Newell Adrian Welker and Viola Lorentina Frazier, Patsy was the second of five girls and was proud of her pioneer heritage. Her childhood memories were full of bike rides, playing in ditches, climbing trees and running bare foot across the hot Arizona asphalt. Her family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in her teens, where she met her first husband, Robert S. Matthews.
They were the parents of one daughter and three sons. After they divorced, she bravely moved her children to Southern California, where she worked 27 years as a Psych Tech in the State Mental Hospitals at San Bernardino and Camarillo. While working nights, she met her second husband, Larry Taylor. He died three years later.
After his death, she moved to Utah, working for seven years in the Adolescent Psych Unit at LDS Hospital. Due to health issues, she moved back to Ventura, California, where she met Dr. Perry Cannon Smith. While in Ventura, she suffered a life threatening medical crisis that necessitated her eventual move back to Utah.
Perry followed her to Utah where they wed. With Perry, Patsy gained five more children and numerous grandchildren. She was an avid reader and letter writer. She rarely missed sending a birthday card to a child or grandchild. She loved reading everything. Patsy had numerous health issues that plagued her for the last thirty years. These health issues slowly chipped away at her independence, but whatever the challenge, she always said, "It is what it is, now let's deal with it."
Mom loved everyone and was a good listener. She always had time to help another if she could. Her advice was honestly and freely given. She loved children, walking on the beach collecting sea shells, taking pictures of sunsets and talking about what she read in her study of the scriptures. She was an active and compassionate member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She never shied away from talking to others about God and how He had blessed her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister LaRue and three husbands. She leaves behind her three younger sisters (GayNell Pobojeski, Jacketta Morrell Hodge, Sherry Sherman), children Susan Jorgensen (Jay), Richard Matthews (Marlynda), R. Wayne Matthews (Sherie), Istvan Matej, Judy Goodsell (Wayne), Dennis Smith, Rod Smith (Karen), Dixie Burt (Ken), Karen Hauley (Richard), 41 grandchildren, 97 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
We are so grateful for the many Doctors who've helped her in the journey through her trials. Especially Dr. Jon Vellinga, Dr. Marta Petersen and Dr. Katie Lappe for their unwavering help and faith in mom. We can't forget her wound care team at the University Hospital Wound Clinic, especially Joe. We couldn't have done it without any of you. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to CNS Hospice who made us feel like we could make this journey and do it well.
The funeral will be Friday, May 18th at noon at the Hillcrest 5th Ward. The address is 915 Peach Blossom Drive, Sandy, Utah. The viewing will be at 10 AM at the church prior to the funeral. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, located on 1342 500 South in Salt Lake City, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please donate to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Perpetual Education Fund.
