Obituary: Blanche Atkinson Smith

Blanche Atkinson Smith "Mums" Blanche Loretta Webb Atkinson Smith, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away Feb 11, 2007 at age 100 in Bountiful Utah. Born Nov 22, 1906 in Lehi, Utah to Bernard Graham and Clara Lina Rothe Webb. Married James R. Atkinson on her birthday in 1928. He died in 1975. She married Alfred B. Smith in 1977. He died in 1996. Blanche began her extraordinary life of music at age five when her father purchased a family piano. The first time she sat down to the piano, she played a Sunday School song by ear. She could play anything by ear and had perfect pitch. At age seven she played the piano as the children marched into school building. When she was 13 she played for the silent movies until she was 19. At 14, she earned a piano teaching certificate and began to teach other children to the play piano. She attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a teaching certificate. She taught grade school in Carbon County. After her marriage, she taught piano in her home for 55 years. Over the years, she studied organ with the Tabernacle organist, Alexander Schreiner, and other very prominent music masters of the time. She was an accomplished pianist and organist. Blanche loved her family and friends and enjoyed spending time traveling, boating, and fishing with them. She was a faithful and devoted member of the LDS Church and severed in Stake and Ward leadership positions, sharing her musical talents for thirty-three years in the Primary, Sunday School, and Relief Society. At age 94 she retired as the Ward Organist for the Monument Park 15th Ward. She and her husband, Al, served a leadership mission in the Liberty Stake and they worked in the Salt Lake Temple for nine years. She was an active member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. Blanche was a strong woman and an example for us all. She will be greatly missed. She is survived by her daughters, DeAnn (William) Barton, Bountiful; Barbara A. Bohne, Salt Lake; Kay (Robert) King, McLean, VA; and Carol (Ted) Hallen, Friendswood, TX; 10 grandchildren, 21 great-grand-children, and two great-great-granddaughters and her brother B. Richard (Alice) Webb, Hurricane, UT. Step children Eugene (Bunny) Smith, Carol (Otto) Berndt, and Joyce Halander of Salt Lake, 17 step grandchildren, 42 step-great grandchildren, and 10 step great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands, sisters, Vernette C. Tidwell and Mabel H. Jense, and brothers Robert G. Webb and R. Ward Webb, great grandson, Michael Nordfelt, and step son Alan G. (Pat) Smith. A special thanks to the staff of North Canyon Care Center and Vista Care Hospice for their tender and loving care. Funeral services will be held at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah Thursday, February 15, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. Viewing prior to funeral, 9:30 am-10:45 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment Bountiful City Cemetery.