Virginia McDonald Smith, our sweet mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, peacefully passed away on January 11, 2024, surrounded by family. She was born to Giles and Maude Webb McDonald on May 15, 1930, in Heber Utah.
When she was 2 years old her family moved to Hinkley Utah where she attended school and graduated in 1948. She met and married Jimmie E Smith Sr. in 1947. They had two children, Emily Smith of West Jordan and Jim Smith of Pleasant Grove Utah. She was blessed with 3 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
Starting in 1953 she worked at Country Club Foods, Clover Leaf Dairy, and then she went to work for Beehive Clothing Mills in the shipping department until she retired after 29 years in 1992.
She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She held several different callings and was a temple worker in the Jordan River Temple and attended weekly until COVID-19.
She enjoyed being in her yard and making her home beautiful inside and out. Some of her favorite pastimes were reading, word searches, watching Hallmark Movies, and making gifts for family and neighbors. She loved to make candy, especially fudge, divinity, and pecan brittle, which her family will miss. When she moved to Legacy Retirement Senior Living, she loved playing bingo, making greeting cards, and going to the evening programs with her friends.
She was responsible for starting the McDonald Family Reunions in June of 1964 which lasted for 50 years. She was known as the Root Beer Queen. Everyone looked forward to her homemade root beer.
She was a loving and caring person, and her door was always open to anyone in the family, or friends who needed a place to stay.
She was an immaculate housekeeper. In addition, she always worried about her hair and makeup wherever she went, even going to the hospital.
She is survived by her son and daughter, grandchildren, Rob (Shanie) Smith, Brighton, and Maren, great-grandchildren, Taisha (Andrew) Evans, and her great-great-grandchildren Harmony, Maylie, and Vai.
Preceded in death by her parents, husband, 9 siblings, and 2 great-great-grandsons James and Daymon Smith.
Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday the 18th of January 2024 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dale Rd. (106th South), Sandy, UT 84092 Family and friends may call 2 hours prior to the service. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery immediately following the service.
Jim,
Your mom was a great supporter of your talent in theater. She was a great lady and raised a great son. Love to you....
So much to say. Aunt Gin will be missed by many. Memories flood my heart of all the time spent in her home. We never felt like we were no welcome even as we became adults. Growing up sleeping on floor to sleep in the back yard. Was always fun. Needing a place to stay she opened hers doors to Darwin and I so he could be treated by doctor in Salt Lake. But I loved the feelings of always knowing she cared. Love Kim
Jim,
Jordan, Jim, Marlett and I send our love during this time of grief and loss. May you feel peace knowing how much you are loved by our family. Many thanks to your mother for sharing you with us.
Lynett