Vera Lyau Smith

Vera was born on February 11, 1926 in Honolulu, Hawaii to Allen Kim Yune Lyau and Helen (Ching) Lyau whose respective parents had immigrated from China. She had three siblings, two brothers and a sister.

After graduating from Pacific Union College in California, Vera returned to Hawaii as an elementary school teacher. She married educator Wilmot K. Smith in 1950, took a brief break to raise four daughters and finished her career as first grade teacher at Mokapu Elementary School at the Marine Base in Kaneohe, Hawaii.

Vera spent the first 5 years of retirement exploring North America in a travel trailer with Wilmot. In 1994, Vera and Wilmot moved to Oregon to be near their daughters' families and in 2003 moved in with daughter Jeanine and son-in-law Ron. Vera had recently moved with Jeanine and Ron to Goodyear, Arizona. She was predeceased by husband Wilmot (2003); parents, Allen and Helen Lyau; infant brother Allen Lyau and adopted sister Ellen Gloria Kealoha. She is survived by daughters Jeanine Linder (Ron) of Goodyear, Arizona; Joanne Futcher (Dave) of Avondale, Arizona; Janelle Muthiah (Victor) of Riverside, California; Colette Kirkwood (Steve) of Damascus, Oregon; nine grandchildren Julie Sylvester, Keven Kingsbury, Brandon Futcher, Chris Futcher, Jeffrey Futcher, Keola Kirkwood, Karen Bissell, Jonathan Kirkwood, and Meilani Long and 14 great grandchildren, Maxwell and Jacob Sylvester; Maika and Alakai Futcher; Malana, Kainoa, Anela Futcher; Kayden, Kyan, Koa Kirkwood; Kaleila and Adiella Kirkwood; Quinn and Kendall Bissell; brother Chester Lyau of Las Vegas, Nevada and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.

Memorial service will be held Saturday, August 5, 2017 at Glendale church in Phoenix, Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, contribute to Trombone Choir at Sunnyside SDA Church (Portland, Oregon), Worthy Student Fund at Glendale Church (Phoenix, Arizona) or to your favorite charity.

Arrangements under the direction of Advantage Funeral and Cremation Services Maryvale Chapel, Phoenix, AZ.