Ruth Pingree Smith died at home in Centerville, July 22, 1992.
She was born in Coalville, June 24, 1907, to Franklin and Pauline Taggart Pingree. She graduated from LDS High School at age 16, and the University of Utah at age 19. She was president of Chi Omega, Spurs, Chi Delta Phi, Motor Board, the Associated Women Students and the Junior Class. She was vice president of her Senior Class, Archery Manager, Tennis Manager, member of Beehive and was an officer in Spanish Club. The University granted her the Emeritus Club Merit of Honor Award in 1987. She taught sixth grade at the Hamilton School, English at LDS Business College, and at West High for two years. She married Joseph F. Smith in 1929. He died in 1964.She is survived by seven children: Ruth S. Silver, Denver, Colorado; Ida Smith, Provo; Raoul Pingree Smith, Portland, Oregon; Denis Pingree Smith, Denver, Colorado; Lynne Esther Partridge, Salt Lake; Hyrum Wayne Smith, Salt Lake and St. George; and Pauline S. Jensen, Mesa, Arizona; 25 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and her sister, Pauline Pingree Knight. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers.
The Smiths moved to Hawaii in 1947 and when her seventh child entered school, she returned to teaching. She taught sixth grade at Hanahaouli Elementary (1950-1970), English in Woodmere Academy and Kew Gardens Yeshiva, and at Birch Watham Private School, all in New York City. She taught three years at BYU Hawaii Campus before "retiring" at age 67.
She served a full-time mission to the Colorado, Denver mission (1978-1980), she was a member of the Primary General Board for ten years and was a stake and ward auxiliary president of Primary, Young Women and Relief Society in Hawaii and taught in all auxiliaries. She was an ordinance worker in the Hawaii Temple, a guide at the Beehive House, and at Pioneer Village at Lagoon. She was a volunteer at the Relief Society Building up until last November when she was diagnosed with leukemia. Until then she was also an active member of DUP, Literature, Music and Arts Club (Centerville), Classic Club, Fine Arts Club (Salt Lake City) and the Babcock Society. She was also secretary of the Job Pingree Family Organization.
We will remember her for her incredible energy, her ability to care about her family and friends, and for her indestructible testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Funeral services will be Tuesday July 28, 1992 at 12 Noon at the Centerville Third Ward, 900 South 400 East, Centerville. Friends may call at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, Monday evening from 6-8 p.m. and at the ward Tuesday 10 to 11:30 a.m. Interment: Salt Lake City Cemetery.
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