Alice Rosella Smith

Arrangements under the direction of Moore Howard Alice Rosella Gray Smith was born March 2, 1932 in Golden, Colorado and died July 7, 2011 in Thornton, Colorado. Alice was the daughter of John Harold and Deborah Irene (Easley) Gray. She was the last family member of three generations born at Orchard Home, the family home built by her Maternal Great-Grandfather, Elwood Easley. She will be buried at Pleasant Park Cemetery, a small community cemetery, started with land donated by her Paternal Grandfather, Thomas Madison Gray.

Alice is survived by her four children: Cindy (Leon) Dreher (Westminster); Carol (Alan) Michaels (Lafayette); Bradley Smith (Aurora) and Bowen Smith (Denver); brother Dr. Tom (Mary) Gray of Vale, OR; and one granddaughter, Michelle Mudge (Aurora).

In 1951 she and Art Smith of Lakewood were married; they divorced in 1976.

Growing up in the Golden area, Alice was very active with 4-H and participated in many competitions with her cooking, sewing and animal projects, including a Grand Champion cow, at the fair. Alice told interesting accounts of rationing during World War II, including one tale where she helped her father raise rabbits then sell them for meat. A highlight of the tale was how she would take the rabbit’s feet, which were popular as good luck charms, and share them with her friends at school.

In high school, she enjoyed acting and participated in most of the plays produced during her years at Golden High School (class of 1950). Throughout her life she remained close friends with many of the members of her class and enjoyed actively participating in the planning of their reunions over the years.

Alice’s love of 4-H continued into her role as mother, forming the Clover Sewers 4-H club in North Denver to include her daughters in the 4-H experience. Although showing grand champion animals was not a part of this city based club, all of the girls experienced great success, under her guidance, at the county and state fairs with their cooking and sewing projects.

In the late 60’s Howard Johnson Motor Lodge opened at I-70 and Federal in Denver. Alice was proud of her position as Executive Housekeeper for the brand new motel. A highlight of her career with Howard Johnsons was assisting with the opening of new motels in California. She continued to use her expertise in commercial laundry when she left Howard Johnson’s to work at the Petroleum Club in downtown Denver. She worked at a variety of occupations until her retirement in 1991 from Coors Porcelain, located in her hometown of Golden, due to disability from Lupus.

Alice was an avid reader, with an interest in history in general and Colorado history, especially the Golden area. She took her love of Colorado History beyond the books, as many week-ends were spent exploring ghost towns throughout Colorado and at one time she was a partner in a small gold claim. She always let people know about her family history, including the fact that a lane that went through the Easley Orchards at the home where she was born, later became Easley Road, which now connects Golden and Arvada.

Alice enjoyed traveling when she could and when she was no longer able, she enjoyed following the travels of her friends. She has scrapbooks filled with postcards sent by friends as they traveled the world.

Arts and crafts were always an important part of her life and she became an accomplished artist during her middle age years. Her favorite subjects to paint and sketch included Colorado scenery, mountains, old trains and rustic buildings. Her favorite pieces of art are a charcoal sketch of Orchard Home and an oil painting of The Grand Canyon. These were among the pieces she chose to take with her when she moved to Elms Haven Care Facility in Thornton.

During her last years at Elms Haven, Alice drew many friends around her who loved to hear her talk about her vast knowledge of history; staff and residents alike.

She will be missed by her family and friends.

Please join in a celebration of Alice’s life. Visitation Wednesday, July 13, 2011, 9-10 AM with service to follow at 10 AM at Moore-Howard Mortuary 46th and Tennyson. Final internment will take place at Pleasant Park Cemetery at 12:15 PM.

oward Chapel, Denver, CO.