Donna T Smart's Obituary
From her birth on February 17, 1923, to her death on July 5, 2024, Donna Toland Smart lived with curiosity, spunk, intelligence, and compassion.
Donna delighted in her Star Valley childhood, walking home from school on squeaky snow to the smell of her mother’s apple dumplings, playing Run Sheepie Run, skiing behind a horse-drawn sleigh. She adored her hard-working, wise father and mother. She loved the life she made with husband Bill, inseparably bound, whose intelligence, adventuresome nature, and generous service she evoked with pride.
Family meant everything to her—–her husband, and children and grandchildren, of course, but also her extended family and ancestors. She tended and grew connections among relatives close and far. She gifted us with story after story of her parents and siblings, grandparents, great-grandparents, and adopted ancestors such as Patty Sessions. Her historical research and published books won awards, but more importantly, they keep alive stories that connect us as humans.
Family included many dear friends, which Donna made wherever she was. We are grateful to you all, and especially for your friendship as she aged.
She nurtured and supported children and grandchildren, serving them, being present in their lives, feeding them endless meals; taught English at East High (the favorite teacher of so many); acted in plays, including Our Town while in her fifties; earned a master's degree in English in midlife; created Chautauquas around the state for the Utah Humanities Council; helped edit the eight-volume Coptic Encyclopedia; created multi-faith interconnections as an LDS Public Relations missionary in Toronto; served in the Salt Lake Temple and as LDS Stake Relief Society president; participated in several civic organizations, including Authors Club; and traveled extensively with Bill. Among many adventures, they trekked the Himalayas, hiked to Denali, and saw Egypt with renowned Egyptologist and dear friend Aziz Atiya.
Donna was her own person, radiating a brilliant mind and opinions born of observation, experience, and reason. Her faith was strong, yet also clear-minded and nuanced. Her prayers were intimate and powerful, and if she was praying for you, as she probably was, you could be sure of receiving the strength you might need. Her will to connect with people and their stories, past and present, built an indispensable bridge across generations.
She loved her deceased parents, A. C. Toland and Susie Malinda Henrie Toland, and her husband William B. Smart. She loved her children and their partners, Martin, Elma, Melinda, Steve, Kristen, Randy, Ed, Tom, and Lawrence. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved and was truly blessed by loving caregivers at Spring Gardens and Inspiration Hospice.
As Melinda said, “Mom, I want to be like you when I grow up.” We all feel the same.
What’s your fondest memory of Donna?
What’s a lesson you learned from Donna?
Share a story where Donna's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Donna you’ll never forget.
How did Donna make you smile?
