Colleen Frances Smith

Colleen Frances Smith age 94 of The Springs at Tanasbourne, Hillsboro, OR passed away September 12, 2025 after a long health battle. She passed away peacefully with the assistance of Tenderly Hospice and the gentle caregivers at The Springs in her home with family by her side.

Colleen Frances Blanchard was born December 3, 1930 at the home of her grandmother, Mary Wickens at Cricket Flat, Oregon (Elgin). Her parents were Harold Leland and Sarah Frances (Wickens) Blanchard of Elgin, Oregon. Colleen grew up and learned to play violin and later discovered her life-long love of the piano. One of the greatest sources of pride in her teen years was accompanying the high school choir.

After graduating from Elgin High School, Colleen went off to business school in Portland. She went to the “big city” with her best friend from Elgin, Arleta (Hug) Burton. She later met Richard Smith in Boise, Idaho, a student at Boise Bible College. They married in 1950 and made several moves as their family grew - from Boise, ID to Drain, OR, to Sedro Wooley, WA to Eugene, to Salem and finally to Hillsboro.

Colleen worked both in and out of the home to help support and raise her children. She taught piano lessons, sold Stanley Home Products, made jewelry and taught shorthand. She started working for the State of Oregon in September, 1968 for the Department of Education. After four years there she worked for the School for the Blind as secretary to the director until 1974. After that she transferred to the Food & Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture where she continued to excel as office manager for eighteen years until her retirement. It’s said that she was such a good writer, the sanitarians actually looked forward to the newsletters Colleen wrote.

Outside of working, Colleen had many hobbies and interests. She played piano and organ for churches, small groups, choirs, quartets and sing-alongs. She bowled, traveled, visited family across the US and participated in many quilt groups in her retirement. She made quilts for each grandbaby, then for each graduation and wedding, tailor made to the interests of each one. She loved to host family and friends at Crooked River Ranch and later at her “beach-house” at Depoe Bay. She had the best view on the Oregon Coast- she loved watching her grandkids discover the many whales to be seen from the deck.

Colleen is survived by her six kids and spouses - Karla Humphreys (Bacliff, TX), Dan & Laurie Smith (Neskowin, OR), Deb & Steve Martin (Topeka, KS), Kriss & Jonathan Fernow (Vancouver, WA), Dixie & Mark McCaslin (Portland, OR), and Jim & Stacy Smith (Beaverton, OR). She has 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren living all across the US. Until recently she kept track of every birthday. She continued to be active in the community at The Springs playing piano for Sing-alongs, playing Hand and Foot, participating with Westside Quilters, weekly Bible studies and church services. She continued to make a difference in the world with her friendly, welcoming, warm personality until she passed away.

*Grandchildren - Amy (& Bill) McMullen, Sarah (& Jarod) Kendrick, Dan (& Shelley) Smith Jr., Sean Martin, Alan (&Emily) Martin, Amanda (&Trent) Warbis, Kayla (&Brad) Lambrecht, Alyssa (& Chris) Caudillo, Adam (& Kayla) Owings, Logan (&Beth) Owings, Alex (&Lindsay) Smith, Kat (& Tyler) Smith, Nat (&Lani) Smith, Nick (& Stephanie) McCaslin, Brian McCaslin, Carrie McCaslin

**Great-Grandchildren - Liam McMullen, Aidan McMullen, Tom Smith, Nate Smith, Wyatt Kendrick, Samson Kendrick, Ryley Martin, Kayson Martin, Finnley Lambrecht, Charlotte Caudillo, Isla Lambrecht, Evelyn Smith, Quinnley Martin, Elle Owings, Rosie Owings

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Cedar Mill Bible Church - 12208 NW Cornell Rd. Portland, OR 97229.

Colleen loved supporting the work of Union Gospel Mission. Any donations or remembrances there would be appreciated.