Elizabeth "Beth" Ann (Blakey) Smith

Elizabeth “Beth” (Blakey) Smith lived a life centered on love, gratitude, and connection. She often said she was happiest simply connecting with family… Lillian, David, Rae, Doug, Pat, Michelle, Josh, Cherish, Sarah, Jeff, and Katie. She so enjoyed talking, laughing, and sharing moments together, whether in person or on the phone. Her love for those closest to her was the foundation of her life.

Beth shared a special bond with her mother, Lillian, spending many cherished years together in the family home. They enjoyed a quiet companionship watching tennis and having meaningful conversations. Her greatest joy, however, was her son, Josh. She was endlessly proud of him and always wanted the very best for his life. It brought her immense happiness to see him find love with his wife, Cherish. Beth also held deep appreciation for her close circle of girlfriends, whose dinners together over the years brought her great joy, as well as her in-laws, the Lazo family, whom she loved dearly.

A lifelong lover of tennis, Beth competed on both the Pueblo South High School team, winning a State Championship her senior year, and the University of Southern Colorado team. Her passion for the sport carried into her career, where she taught tennis for the City of Pueblo and later served as an assistant coach at Fort Collins High School.

Beth was a natural-born educator. After attending the University of Southern Colorado and Colorado State University, she earned her master's in education and went on to teach grades Kindergarten through 5th. She deeply loved her students and often shared stories from her time in the classroom, a role she missed dearly when health challenges forced her to step away.

She found joy in life’s simple pleasures: animals, garage sales, time outdoors, painting and crafts, music, reading, sports, and especially decorating for the holidays. Beth was known for her enthusiasm for every season and for collecting meaningful items that tied to a memory, a moment, or a loved one.

Despite many health challenges, Beth remained remarkably positive. She faced each day with hope, gratitude, and an unwavering sense of humor. She never became bitter, always mindful that others faced greater struggles. Her faith remained strong throughout her life, and she found comfort in the poem Footprints.

Beth was deeply grateful for the care and kindness she received from the staff at Pueblo Regent and Gentiva Hospice, whom she considered family.

She leaves behind a simple but meaningful message: “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans… and that’s okay.”

In lieu of flowers, Beth asked that donations be made to a charity of your choice.