Nina Smith

Nina was born on March 18, 1946, in New Haven, Connecticut, to George Edward Nettleton and Nancy Holbrook Nettleton. The second of four children, she spent her early childhood in Long Valley, New Jersey, before returning to Connecticut, where she graduated from Hamden High School in June 1964.

Her life changed forever in October 1963 when she accepted a blind date with Roland Smith, who was then assigned to the Institute of Far Eastern Languages at Yale University. Their connection was immediate; they were married in New Haven on June 12, 1964. Thus began a 62-year journey and a shared adventure that included twenty-two moves, taking them twice to Japan, as well as Germany, Idaho, Indiana, Ohio, Texas, Colorado and finally, Utah. She and her husband loved to travel and have visited 31 countries and been on 10 cruises.

A woman of profound faith, Nina joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 3, 1964. She remained a dedicated disciple throughout her life, serving in numerous callings, including Sunday School and Seminary Teacher, Relief Society President, Women’s Prison Relief Society President, and Temple Ordinance Worker. One of the highlights of her service was serving a senior mission alongside Roland in Hawaii.

Nina’s greatest legacy is her family. She was the devoted mother of nine children and a matriarch to a large, vibrant posterity. She is survived by her husband, Roland; her children James Brian (LeeAnn) Smith, Heather (Ty) Brown, Dawnmarie (Kirk) Lunnen, Jaelene (Michael) Smith, Daryl Holbrook (Laura) Smith, and Jared Kenneth (Tania) Smith; her sister Pamela Nettleton Mills, daughter-in-law Maureen Hult; 20 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Nancy; her sister, Marsha DuPre; her brother, Ralph Nettleton; her sons, Peter Hult and Trevor Gillette Smith; her daughter, Traci Smith, and grandsons Devlin and Casey.

Though her final years were challenged by Alzheimer’s disease following her diagnosis in 2019, Nina’s spirit of service and the memory of her kind heart remain a light to all who knew her.

A viewing will be held at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Millcreek, UT 84106, US, on April 25, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. A funeral will be held at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Millcreek, UT 84106, US, on April 25, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.