Rachel Anne O’Driscoll Smith, 32, of Salt Lake City, Utah, died on November 8th, 2023 surrounded by her family and friends.
Rachel was born in Bountiful, Utah to Jeff and Sheila O’Driscoll. She was the first girl after four boys. “I didn’t think I would ever get a girl,” Sheila said. Rachel graduated from Highland High School in Salt Lake City, and chose to study nursing at Westminster College. Why did she pick nursing? “I never want to be useless when somebody I love needs me.” She threw herself into the curriculum and by the time she graduated had generated a study guide that was so good one of her professors wanted to use it for her class going forward. Typical Rach, when she pursued something there was no stopping her. She loved her career as a NICU nurse and ultimately succeeded at getting her dream job as a neonatal flight nurse with Intermountain Lifeflight.
Everyone who knew Rachel experienced her kind and welcoming spirit, and she exuded love for her family, friends, and patients. For every baby she cared for in the NICU, she would tell their parents that she loved their child and would take good care of them. This propensity for love and kindness was perfectly complemented with a sharp wit and ability to go on hilarious verbal takedowns of her latest pet peeve at work.
She found the love of her life when she met Todd Smith in the LDS singles ward in Salt Lake. Never had two people been so twitterpated. They married on December 27th, 2013 in Salt Lake City. They have two beautiful children, Ellie, 7, and Wesley (Wes-Wes), 3. After a stint in Portland, Oregon, they returned to Utah and have remained there since.
Everyone she ever met is better for having known her. We will all miss her dearly, and her spirit lives on as she was before the hardships of terminal illness.
Rachel was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jack O’Driscoll, Darrel Brown, and Frances Brown; and her older brother, Forest Turner. She is survived by her parents, Jeff and Sheila O’Driscoll; her siblings, Jeremy Turner, Joseph O’Driscoll, Jacob O’Driscoll, and Rebekah Hardy; her grandmother, Kay O’Driscoll; her husband, Todd Smith; and their children, Eloise Smith and Wesley Smith. And, of course, her legion of incredible friends and colleagues who supported her so wonderfully in her final months.
A viewing and funeral will be held on Saturday, November 18th at 1930 South 2100 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84108. A public viewing will take place between 10:30am-12:30pm MST, then the family will have a private viewing from 12:30-1:00pm. The funeral will start at 1:00pm. For those unable to attend, please click on the "Watch Services" above.
Following the funeral, the family and close friends will attend a graveside service at Larkin Sunset Lawn 2350 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84108.
In lieu of flowers, we request that any donations be sent directly to Rachel’s husband, Todd Smith, to help offset funeral expenses. Venmos can be sent to @wtoddsmith (the last four digits of his phone number are 0305). QR code can be found in the photos above. Checks can be mailed to Todd Smith at Larkin Mortuary 260 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84111.
As a final favor to Rachel, we invite you to upload any photos or videos you have of her to the cloud so everyone can share in our memories of her. We’ve set up an online album at https://dropevent.com/RachelsAlbum where you can view everything uploaded so far.
For uploading there are two ways you can do it.
1.You can visit this link: https://dropevent.com/RachelsAlbum/upload
2. Email photos to RachelsAlbum@dropevent.com. The subject line will be a caption.
If you have physical photos or encounter any trouble, please contact any family member of Rachel’s. We will be happy to assist.
We love you Doc. Sending so much love to you and your unties family. Thank you for being such a big part of my life.
I’m so sorry to hear of Rachel’s passing. Sending love & healing to your family.
Todd- so very sorry for your loss! You and the kids will forever be in our prayers! Love you so much!
Please give Jeremy our condolences from his Evansville family sister Sarah , brothers John, Luke and David . Also his former stepmother Julie Turner Armstrong. I am so sorry for your loss.
So sorry to hear of your loss. I did not know Rachel but her obituary paints a picture of a wonderful person much too young to leave this world so soon. I hope you find solace in your faith and family. Love from me.
David
Sheila, I know at this time words are important but for some reason I cannot express what I am feeling...I love you and your family and would have loved to have known Rachel.....Please know that we are praying for your and your loved ones....
Dear Sheila and Jeff,
We were shocked and saddened to hear of Rachel’s passing. Our deepest condolences to you and your family. You and your family are in our prayers.
Blossom on in Boundless Love Beautiful Soul 💗
So very sorry for your loss cousin. May your memories comfort you. 🙏💔
Hello, Jeff:
I'm so sorry to hear of Rachel's death.
I'll be praying for all of you.
Godbless.
Nathan
Are prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
I am so sorry for your loss! Your daughter is beautiful and will be with you always!
No parent should pay tribute to their children, I don't have enough words to hug you right now.
Trusting time will turn the pain into sweet memories of the sweet angel Rachel Anne is, was, and will always be for you.
Sending all our love and support to your family during this incredibly difficult time. Words don’t seem like enough to convey our deepest condolences or to help ease you all through the road ahead. We didn’t know Rachel but it’s easy to see how bright a light she carried. To Joe, your LA family loves you and is thinking about you. We’ll try to send you some sunshine.
With deepest sympathy,
Vanessa & Ricky
She was such an Angel but now is an Angel with her wings watching over all of you. It is a terrible loss but so many times things just don’t go as planned. All of you are in my daily prayers. God Bless All Of You
Bonjour Rachel,
J’ai appris avec beaucoup de tristesse que tu avais quitté temporairement ta famille terrestre car, apparemment, une autre mission beaucoup plus importante, t’attendait de l’autre côté du voile. Je suis toujours un peu surprise quand un être jeune et magnifique comme toi, nous quitte si tôt surtout quand il laisse des petits enfants qui ont dramatiquement besoin de leur maman. Cela reste un mystère pour moi. Je pense que tu es partie en paix sachant que tes amours seraient entre de très bonnes mains. J’adresse mes plus profondes et sincères condoléances à ta famille et j’embrasse affectueusement tes enfants.
From France with love.
Todd - so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers for strength and comfort to you and your family.
As angels are the breath we have, I, share with my deepest condolences , and sweetest prayers, to be blessed with comfort and peace upon all your hearts and souls. To my dear, Angel friend, Jeff , I bless you, and all of your loved ones at this time and forever. #2rainbows #2flying #2angels #2eternalfamilies 💕🌈✨🫶🕊️a.k.
To the O’Driscolls,
Your family is incredible and I love you all. Heaven now gets the pleasure of Rachel’s spirit and I know she’ll be watching over you all until you join her. Her memory lives on through you and the people she helped during her life.
I love you and will keep you all in my prayers.
With Love,
Everything Is Love
Jeff and your beautiful family, I first met you on a Healing Cruise 4 years ago and knew immediately that I had met a man who deeply loved his precious family. You have helped so many of us in Helping Parents Heal, and I hope that we can help Sheila and you as you travel this difficult journey. With love and blessings, Lynn Argetsinger
