Gwen Smith Anderson-Farrer

Gwen Elsie Anderson-Farrer longed to be home for Christmas, and on the most holy night of the year, December 25, 2020 her dreams came true. She was born April 16, 1929 to Orson and Mary Elsie Farrer Smith. Once Gwen had safely arrived her mother passed away. A few years later, Gwen's father married Merna Richardson, who became Gwen's step mom. Gwen is now finally reunited with family including her parents, two older brothers, Harold Smith (Erva), and Donald Smith (Venna); and two older sisters Virginia Johns (Richard), and Margaret Gale Snyder(Robert). She married Joseph A. Anderson Jr. in the Salt Lake Temple on September 29, 1954. Her beloved husband of 57 years passed away on December 19, 2011. On April 21, 2018 Gwen married Kean Farrer in the Oquirrh Mtn. Temple for time.

Gwen was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she gave a lifetime of service to others. Although she mainly served in the scouting program and Relief Society, she particularly enjoyed serving in the temple with our dad. An education was important to our mom since both of her parents were teachers. She graduated from Jordan High School where her father was a faculty member, and her Chemistry teacher. Her father was also the photographer for the school yearbook. Our mom feels she had a love for photography because of him. She went on to get a Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition at the University of Utah.

She cherished her role as mother to seven lucky children and their spouses: Brian J Anderson (Melinda), Jodi A. Cheney (J.C.), Paul B. Anderson (Karen), Bradley R. Anderson (Robyn), Stacey G. Kasteler (Doug), Jeffrey D. Anderson, and Tiffani J. Thomas (Matt). Family is everything to our mom. She enjoyed loving and supporting 52 grandkids, and 34 great grandkids. Our mom taught by example. She would recite and live her favorite mantras: 'I feel happy, I feel healthy, I feel terrific' and 'this too shall pass'. She was gentle and kind in nature. Her only weapons were a can of spray starch and a lost sewing pin stuck in the carpet.

Our mom was known for her award-winning sewing skills. She mastered this art at a very young age, and continued to create fabric masterpieces throughout her life. She would never buy dresses for special events, instead she would sew them. An example of her impeccable talent was her evening gown for her title of 1st attendant to Miss Draper and her wedding dress. She became an extreme sports fan to the home teams, especially BYU. We learned to never call her during the sacred hours of a game, and to never miss the sports highlights that night so we could have a meaningful discussion on the game the next day. She loved to read, collect sweaters and travel. When her kids were grown, she enrolled in The Morris Travel School where she graduated top in her group. Her worldwide travels included Africa, India, China, Europe, Jerusalem, Russia, and many more. The only desired passport stamp that she never got was Paris France.

There will be a viewing for family and friends on Tuesday, December 29th 2020 from 6 to 8 pm at the Wasatch Lawns Mortuary located on 3401 So. Highland Drive in Salt Lake City. The graveside gathering will be Wednesday, December 30th at 11am at Wasatch Lawns Mortuary. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.