Maxine Jayne Richards Smeath's Obituary
Maxine J.R. Smeath, 78, passed away Sunday July 6, 2014 in Orem, UT after a long courageous battle with breast cancer. Maxine was born June 14, 1936 to Blanche Jensen and Daniel Webster Richards Jr. in Holiday, UT. In her youth, she served as a candy striper. She graduated from Olympus High School and attended the University of Utah. Maxine married James L. Strang in Salt Lake City. They were later divorced. They are the parents of six children. Maxine was a wonderful mother and grandmother! She recognized the unique qualities in each of her children and grandchildren and she ensured they knew how precious they were to her. Maxine worked diligently to provide for her children physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially. She supported all of their activities and interests tirelessly her entire life. She worked in the schools her children attended. She cheered enthusiastically from the sidelines of sporting and music performances of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. At an early age, Maxine developed a lifelong love for music. Her voice was angelic and she loved to share it with others. She had numerous talents; she was a beautiful seamstress, she enjoyed needlework, quilting, arts & crafts, canning/bottling of fruits & vegetables among other things. She worked at many various positions sewing or crafting goods. Her home was full of hand-made items, she gave countless handmade gifts and her daughters had the most beautiful dresses no matter how tight finances were. Maxine was an avid gardener. She loved flowers and took great pride in caring for her beautiful yard. On March 16, 1990, Maxine married J (John) Boyd Smeath. They were later sealed for Time and Eternity in the Provo Temple. In addition to their mutual love of gardening, they loved to golf, fish and bowl. Some of her happiest times were spent sitting at Boyd’s side on a golf cart. She gained four children, in-laws and many grandchildren in her marriage to Boyd. She loved her expanded family with the same unconditional love as if they had been hers from birth. Maxine was serving an LDS mission in Washington, DC when she was diagnosed with metastatic cancer. She defied every doctor’s prognosis as the cancer spread throughout her body. As she continued her cancer treatments, she served additional LDS service missions and was a diligent temple worker. She continued to live her life to the fullest in spite of the pain. She was an amazing example of hard work, obedience and courage to all of us who were blessed to know and love her. Maxine had a very strong testimony of the gospel and was never afraid to share it with others. She was a woman of service in all aspects of life including her numerous church callings throughout her life. She loved her time in Primary and Relief Society presidencies. She gave everything she had to everything she was asked to do. She loved serving others and never gave a thought to herself. She was a wonderful example of Christ-like love and service to all around her. Maxine was always an incredibly patriotic person. She taught her children to be proud of our country and grateful for the sacrifices made for our freedoms. She was born on Flag Day and had a deep love for all things related to our great nation. She was so very excited to serve her mission in our nation’s capital. While serving, she obtained flags that had been flown over our nation’s capital and sent them to each of her children. She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and was very proud of her heritage and freedom. Maxine's greatest talent was to bring happiness and joy into everyone's life. She had a big heart and accepted people without judgment. Mom’s favorite occupation was her many years of working at Utah Valley University with the Student Association. She never met anyone she didn’t love and she didn’t know the meaning of the word stranger. Maxine is survived by her children Joni Strang (Rex) Bennett, Orem, UT, Sandra (Jimmy) Honeycutt, Locust Grove, GA, Gordon (Susan) Strang, St. George, UT, Stephanie (Brian) Tippets, Hyrum, UT and Nicole Hopkins of Orem, UT.; step-children Brad (Jeanne) Smeath, Jill (Brad) VanAusdal, Jackie (Mike) Bulow and Jodi (Kirby) Crompton; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; siblings Irene Woodside, Danielle Langdorf, Daniel W. Richards, III, Leah Rober and Stephen P. Richards. Maxine was proceeded in death by her loving husband J. Boyd Smeath and her third daughter Brenda Kay Peirce, (wife of Dennis Peirce) and parents. Funeral services will be held Thursday July 10, 2014 at 11 a.m., in the Orem Fourth Ward Chapel, 50 South 800 East. Viewing will be held from 9:45 to 10:45 the day of the funeral. Funeral arrangements were provided by Premier Funeral Services. The family would like to thank Mom’s many physicians, Orchard Park Rehabilitation Center and Tender Care Home Health & Hospice, especially Mom’s sweet nurse Darlene Goates, for the special loving care provided to our mother. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in Maxine Smeath's name, to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Society or to the LDS general missionary fund.
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