Obituary of Carol Smith

Carol Frances Smith, 80, died peacefully on Christmas morning Monday, December 25th

Carol was born August 14, 1943 in Kansas City, Missouri to Joe and Edith Hickman and lived her early life in the Kansas City area. Her brother Edward joined the family on February 4, 1945. The family moved to Drumright, Oklahoma and Carol graduated from Drumright High School in 1961. Not long after graduating high school, Carol boarded a bus bound for Denver, Colorado with $18 in her pocket to join the telephone company as an operator. It was on Easter that she was introduced to the love of her life Thomas Michael Smith, a soldier in the US Army. They were married on June 5, 1965 in Aurora, Colorado. They had three children. Michael, Mark and Denise.

In 1974, Tom and Carol moved to Boise where Tom joined Ore Ida Foods. In Boise, Tom and Carol built a life together that celebrated and valued family, friends, travel and community service. They traveled to all seven continents but their favorite times included summers in McCall and winters in Maui. Carol made a career of community service. One of her special interests was Easter Seal/Goodwill where she chaired their annual Sweetheart Auction each Valentine’s Day. In 1991, she received the development award of excellence from the Easter Seals Society for best special event in the nation. Carol devoted much time to helping Idahoans with mental and physical disabilities and worked tirelessly to expand recreational opportunities for those with disabilities. In addition to her work with Easter Seals, Carol volunteered at the Boise Art Museum serving as a docent and later as chairwoman for their Collectors Forum. She also was active in the tennis and golf community at Hillcrest Country Club. In her later years, she enjoyed cards with friends, knitting and walking her dog.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Thomas M Smith on May 25, 2017. She is survived by her three children Michael (Suzanne), Mark and Denise; three grandchildren Brady, Abby and Molly. Other survivors include her nieces Nitya (Angel) and Kathy (Jerry); brother-in-law Eugene Smith (Lena) and their children Eugene, Deborah (Jim) and Phillip (Lisa). She is also survived by her beloved golden retriever, Molly and countless friends.

The family deeply thanks Touchmark Meadow Lakes and Keystone Hospice for their care in her final days. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Women’s and Children’s Alliance. 

Please join us for the Mass service that will be held on January 12th at Holy Appostles in Meridian at 11am with a reception to follow at Touchmark Meadow Lake at 12:30pm. Internment at the Boise Veterans Cemetery at 3pm.