Geraldine Pond Smith

Geraldine “Gerry” Smith, 81 of Rigby, died Friday, June 14, 2013 at her home. Gerry was born August 27, 1931 to Newell McCann Pond and Florence Erma Lemmon, at Island Park, Idaho. She had three older brothers, the oldest being 2 ½ years older than her. They were raised at Island Park in a cabin without indoor plumbing. Gerry attended school in a one room cabin (all grades included) for her 1st year of school. Later they moved to Pocatello, where she continued her education until 1946 when her family moved to Rigby. She continued her education at Ricks College. While she lived in Rigby she met her eternal companion K. Doyle Smith while picking spuds in the fall of 1946. They were married June 13, 1951 in the Idaho Falls L.D.S. Temple. They celebrated their 62nd year of marriage the day before she passed away. Gerry was an active member of The Church of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; she served in many capacities including Ward and Stake Organist, which she served with great joy, Stake Young Women’s President, as a Gospel Doctrine Teacher, Temple Worker and she and her husband served in the Albuquerque, New Mexico Mission. Gerry was the accompanist for the Chansonetts Women’s Choir for 25 years, giving it up only to support her husband in his calling as Bishop, and currently served as his typist while he serves as the Stake Patriarch. Her love was music; in particular the piano and she had a great desire to instill that in her family and all whom she taught over the years. She in later life began to learn the violin. Each new challenge in her life brought her great joy. A positive attitude was her greatest talent. Gerry was a wonderful mother and grandmother and will be dearly missed. Gerry loved golf, she played because of the “joy of the game” but she also wouldn’t let you beat her. She also enjoyed tennis. She is survived by her husband, K. Doyle Smith, of Rigby, daughters, Carol (Cliff) Beesley, of Berlin, Germany, Lana (Brad) Anderson, of Rigby, sons, Keith (Sandra) Smith, of Rigby, Steve (Cindy) Smith, of Rigby, sisters, Carla (Brent) Thomas, of Annis, Brenda (Brad) Walker, of Chubbuck, brothers, Ray (Donna) Pond, of Driggs, Jack (Amy) Pond, of Idaho Falls, Ted (Rita) Pond, of Hawaii, 14 grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at the Rigby Stake Center, 258 W. 1st N., Rigby. The family will receive friends at the Stake Center Monday from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Burial will be in the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby. Donations may be made to the General Missionary Fund for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.