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BORN
1937
DIED
2017
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Gay Smith Obituary
The family spent 2 years in the Panama Canal Zone where her father was an engineer on the locks.
School years were spent in Mississippi, Omaha and Las Vegas where she was the top of her senior class in high school.
She continued her education at CU Boulder where she was elected to Phi Bea Kappa her junior year. She was also in the sorority The Omega.
She married her college sweetheart Duane A. Smith on August 20th, 1960 and helped to put him through his doctorate program at C.U. After his graduation they moved to Durango where Duane took a job as a history professor at Fort Lewis College.
The couples daughter, Laralee was born in 1968. They have been active members of First United Methodist Church since 1964, involved in choir and junior choir. Gay also helped to edit Duane's many books.
Her life changed somewhat in October of 1994 when she suffered two brain aneurisms. While this changed her quality of life, she remained at home in the loving care of her husband, two dogs and several cats.
She passed peacefully in her sleep sometime in the early morning of April 28, 2017 in the home that she loved.
She is survived by her husband Duane of Durango, her twin sister Kay Eberl of Loveland, CO., her daughter Laralee, son-in-law Michael and nephew Don Eberl of Loveland and Linda Waters of Tulsa, OK.
Services will be held Friday, May 5, 2017 at 10am at the First United Methodist Church, 2917 Aspen Drive. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the First United Methodist Church of Durango or La Plata County Humane Society.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gay Smith
Sponsored by Hood Mortuary - Durango.
Lawrence Nass
May 5, 2017
I will remember Gay's happy spirit. She had a great love for animals, and always found time to have a cheerful moment when my dog (and I) would visit.
Rest in peace, Gay. Blessings to Duane, Lara and the family.
Lawrence, Ana and Ella Nass
MARY SCOTT
May 4, 2017
IT WAS A JOY TO KNOW GAY SMITH. WE WERE
NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS FOR MANY YEARS.
OUR SYMPATHY TO DUANE AND LARALEE AND THE
FAMILY.
MARY SCOTT AND
SUZANNE AND JOHN DEVER
Glen & Jan Crandall
May 4, 2017
Glen and I have many happy memories over the many years we have known Gay and Duane. We will miss her. She never lamented her illness and always had a smile. Godspeed, Gay, and love. Glen & Jan
May 3, 2017
Oh, I am so sorry to hear about Gay, Duane. I'll always remember her happy spirit as she sat beside you in Westerner's. You are in my thoughts and prayers! Love, Susan Foster
Joyce Erickson
May 3, 2017
We have had such wonderful times through the 50 some years we have known each other.
Gay was a bright light to many. We will miss her! My thoughts are with you, Lara and Kay.
Eileen Brown
May 3, 2017
Light up a room, she could, with her large and heart warming smiles and greetings. Will remember the times of music and laughter when all gathered after the Brass Band Festival to appreciate together, in the B & B with Sweeny and his gracious wife.
Gay...what a perfect name and dear person. Condolences to you, David, and your daughter and family. ~o~
Jessica Potter
May 2, 2017
What a beautiful spirit she was! She will be greatly missed!
May 2, 2017
DUANE AND FAMILY, I WILL MISS THE SMILE THAT GAY ALWAYS HAD FOR ME IN THE GROCERY STORE. A GREAT LADY , LOVE MICKEY HOGAN
Lara Breunig
May 1, 2017
I will miss you and love you always, Mom. Thanks for being you. I hope you are laughing and dancing again.
May 1, 2017
May family and friends find comfort in knowing that Almighty God and his son Christ Jesus care about you and will help you to endure, especially with the loss of someone so dear to you. Please read Jesus loving word found at Matthew 11:28-30
Jack H.
May 1, 2017
Being the same age as Laralee, we grew up together in the same neighborhood therefore I know Duane and Gay well. I consider them a great influence through my impressionable years growing up. I'm truly grateful to have known Gay and I know she will be missed by all who know her and love her. Rest in peace, Gay. Thank you for all you did here on earth.
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