Patricia Kay Smith

Pat Smith was born Patricia Kay Bush to Lois and Wilbur Bush on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 1943 in Bedford Ohio (a suburb of Cleveland). She was the youngest of two children, and looked up to her older sister Barb. They remained very close their entire lives. It’s interesting to note that Pat passed away on March 15th, the very anniversary of Barb's passing 11 years ago.

Pat grew up in a multi-family house that her grandfather built. She and her family lived in the bottom half of the house and her cousin Judy and her family lived in the top half. Pat, Barb, and Judy were best friends and liked to play in the creek that ran behind their house.

Pat loved learning throughout her entire life. At an early age she took ballet lessons and played the violin. I recall how she used to drive everyone crazy with the screechy sounds of her violin. She also worked for a photographer in high school and became the yearbook editor.

Pat always loved helping people so it was only natural she pursued Nursing as a career. After graduating high school, she attended the Fairview Park Hospital School of Nursing in Cleveland Ohio, where she earned her undergraduate LPN nursing degree. While working as a nurse at the Cleveland clinic, Pat met and married Rich Post who was attending Dental School at Case Western Reserve University. Upon graduation, Rich joined the US Air Force and they moved to West Germany where their two children Stacey and Steven were born. After their tour in Europe, they eventually made their way back to Utah, where Rich started a private practice, and Pat earned her Bachelors of Nursing Degree from the University of Utah and became a registered nurse.

In 1973 Pat became a single mother with two small children to support. She decided to join the US Army and was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the US Army Nurse Corps. This began her illustrious military career, having worked as a head nurse in an Intensive Care Unit and other various leadership and command positions during her time in the service. In 1979 she married Don Smith, a US Army helicopter pilot. They both attended Baylor University where together they earned Master’s Degrees in Health Administration. During their 10 years of marriage they were stationed in 6 different locations.

Eventually Pat returned to Germany working as a Project Officer on a major Department of Defense initiative to modernize US Army medical facilities overseas in Europe. She oversaw the proper construction and design of these new clinics and hospitals. She was involved in every facet of the build detail…from the foundation all the way to final finishes of the artwork on the walls. While stationed in Germany Pat volunteered to join the war in Kuwait being deployed to Operation Desert Storm. She was instrumental in setting up and running a Mobile Hospital Unit on the front lines in the sands of Kuwait.

Pat was very competitive and loved to play any game. She also took up the sport of playing Golf during her career in the Army. After serving almost 20 years in the Army and reaching the rank of Lieutenant

Colonel, she decided to retire in 1994. Her last duty assignment was at Fitzsimons Hospital in Aurora Colorado. Over her military career she received numerous well-earned and deserved awards and recognition. By the time she retired from the Army, she had become a grandmother. At her request, her grandchildren affectionately call her “GG”, which stands for “Gorgeous Grandma”!

Pat was a philanthropist in the truest sense, investing heavily in her own family members’ educational pursuits and business ventures so that they too could follow their own dreams in life. She gave freely of her time and talents in service to her country, service to her church, service to her family, and service to her friends. Pat expressed her love through the service she rendered on behalf of others. Pat also served a 2 year mission in the Marshall Islands for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Pat loved travel and adventure. Whether it was Salmon fishing in Alaska with her sister Barb, white water rafting in Austria with her kids, cruises with her daughter Stacey, touring Europe with her son Steven, or an excursion to Ireland and Scotland with her cousin Judy, Pat loved to experience different places and cultures.

In her retirement, Pat moved to Sun Lakes Arizona. She could be found out on the golf course at least

twice a month. She also loved to bowl and was part of the Bowlero bowling league here in town. Pat also enjoyed musical bingo and bunco nights at the country club. Pat loved singing in the choir and participated both in her Church choir and the Sun Lakes community choir. She loved to spend time with her kids and grandkids playing card games, bowling, golfing, swimming, and billiards.

Pat will best be remembered as a loving Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother. Pat is survived by her 2 children Stacey and Steven, nine grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and her “wee” Scotty dog, “Angus McGregor!”

Pat will forever be missed and will always hold a special place within our hearts.