Jean T. Smith

Born Sept. 1, 1926, in Homedale, Idaho, Jean was a 56-year resident of Boulder City and Las Vegas, and active in her community. For 20 years, she owned and operated the Pied Piper Pre-school (later "Jean Smith's Country School"), which eventually grew to a chain of three locations in Las Vegas, Henderson, and Boulder City before the schools were sold in the 1980's. She had a bachelor's degree in education from UNLV, and in 1986 she earned a masters of science degree in computer education from Nova University. Jean was a long-time elementary-level educator, teaching in schools in Marsing and Glenns Ferry, Idaho, and Nyssa, Ore. in the early 1950's before relocating to southern Nevada with her husband and growing family. She taught kindergarten at Lincoln Elementary School in Las Vegas during the 1980's. Jean was always active in the LDS Church, serving in dozens of callings in the women's, young women's, children's and missionary organizations, plus Cub Scouts, drama presentations, and choir. She and her husband were kind and generous neighbors, and many local residents can attest to the selflessness with which the two of them gave of their own resources to help those in need. Jean's wide range of interests ran from piano and vocal performance to photography to ceramics to memorabilia collecting. Travel was also a treat for her, and over the years she made several visits to Europe, Asia, Alaska, and Hawaii. She will be remembered lovingly by her husband, of more than 60 years, Fred "Cal" Smith; her children Paul of Austin, Texas, Kevin of Henderson, Jeff of Las Vegas, Leslie of Sparks, David of Las Vegas, Sam of Kennewick, Wash., Sharon Palmer of Cedar City, Utah, and Clara Matson of Boise, Idaho; her daughters-in-law, Daryl, Barbara, Cindy, Debbie, Marge and Bonnie; her sons-in-law, Don and Ed; and all 37 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren. She is survived by her sisters, Ardith Mallard of Meridian, Idaho, Sharon "Toby" Seibert of Ephrata, Wash., and Martha Roberts of Etna, Wyo.; and her brothers, William "Don" Tidwell of Provo, Utah, and Gerald "Jerry" Tidwell of Laverkin, Utah. She was preceded in death by her brother, John; and three grandchildren, Aaron, Peter and Kathryn. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to a large extended family, she will be missed and her memory cherished by all. We love you "Mrs. Claus." Visitation will begin at 9 a.m., Monday May 9, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Eight Ward Chapel, located at 4500 Pennwood Ave. in Las Vegas (the corner of Pennwood and Arville). The funeral follows at 10 a.m. Interment takes place at 1:20 p.m. in the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City. Donations in the name of Jean Tidwell Smith can be made to the LDS Church's Perpetual Education Fund.

Arrangements under the direction of Palm South Jones Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.