Each of us is a gift, and Arlene Emilia Smith continues to gift us with the many memories we hold dear in our hearts. She was a daughter, sister, aunt, mother-in-law, grandma, and my mom. She was "fearfully and wonderfully made," says Psalm 139.

Born to Emilia (Casados) and Fred Lucero, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Arlene began her earthly sojourn on September 1, 1934. After eighty-seven years of vibrant life, she passed peacefully on the afternoon of January 1, 2022, to her forever home in the Father's house. At her passing, she was surrounded with love, in the presence of her family: Elaine, her grand-daughter; Don, her son-law; a precious care giver from Visiting Angels; and me, her daughter.

There is, of course, far more to the story of Arlene than the day she began her life and the day she entered into eternity with God. Her full story is replete with adventures, trials, and triumphs.

Mom's nickname at Santa Fe High School was "Half-Pint," but she played a prominent role at the school. She participated in cheerleading, choir, cantata, Future Homemakers of America, and Commercial 55, a program of community leadership and improvement.

To my dad, Bob Smith, mom was his "earth angel". They met in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1954 and married on St. Patrick's Day in 1955, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Havre De Grace, Maryland. Together for 55 years, they enjoyed wood-working, painting, and many cross-country road trips for Knights of Columbus golf tournaments, visiting grandchildren, and simply exploring together. They were also jitterbug champions, and mom was a limbo champion.

As a military wife, mom discovered the pleasure of travel. She and Bob lived in Orlando, Florida; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Abilene, Texas; the Philippines; Clark Air Force Base, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; Indian Head, Maryland; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Fresno, California; McChord Air Force Base, Washington; and Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. They retired in the spring of 2001, in Montana City, Montana.

Some of mom's travels were especially noteworthy. While in the Philippines, mom took a Navy ship to Hong Kong and sailed through a typhoon on the way home. Mom and dad traveled together with members of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church to Italy, visiting Rome, Venice, and Assisi. They also reveled in their memories of taking a ship to Alaska. I remember the many stories they told to us about Italy and Alaska, as well as the many other places they had been together.

After my dad's passing, mom went through a difficult time. "This is not how it was meant to be" she would say, but she continued her travels. She loved Hawaii and sailed all the islands. From Ontario and then Quebec, Canada, she sailed up the St. Lawrence River and down the rugged coastline down to Boston. She traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; and loved Yellowstone Park the most. She traveled often to Santa Fe and St. Louis to see family.

She loved watching movies at the local cinemas, attending the Helena Symphony at the Community Center and dramas at Grand Street Theatre in Helena. Mom loved operas in Bozeman too. Mom was very social and sociable. A skilled cook, she felt great pleasure in cooking for guests in her home, taking special pride in her New Mexican dishes.

After all of her hobbies with dad, her travels and her connections with so many people, mom left us with two most important lessons: love rules, so always forgive; and laughter brings healing.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband Robert L. Smith Jr. and her son Robert Anthony Smith. She is survived by her sister Evelyn Lopez; her daughter Barbara Ann Schultz; her son-in-law Don Schultz; her daughter-in-law Yolanda Smith; her grandchildren Monica Ann Smith, Adam Bossum, Emily Marie Smith, Elaine Allison Schultz, and Anna Victoria Jorgenson; and her great-grandchildren Marcus Jarvis, and Lily Jorgenson, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.

We would like to give thanks to the community of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, Father Dan Shea, St. Peter's Hospital, Dr. Diane Nowack, PA Morgan Teegarden, all the nurses and staff at St. Peter's, Montana City Volunteer Fire Department, Eagle Ambulance Services, Jefferson County Sheriffs, St. Peter's Palliative Care, Hospice of St. Peter's and Visiting Angels. We are deeply grateful to all who touched her life through her journey. Truly I wish I could name each of you.

In lieu of flowers, we are asking donations be sent in Arlene Smith's name to either Hospice of St. Peter's, the Helena Symphony, or Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church.

Services will be held at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church on Friday, June 10, 2022, at 11:00 AM.  A luncheon will follow at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. Interment will be at Fort Harrison, on June 20, 2022 at 2:00 PM.