Helen E. Smith

My Life Story Helen Smith prized her medical training beginning with graduation from St. Al’s School of Nursing in 1934. A scholarship to UC Berkley equipped her with a specialty in Public Health, with which she served the State of Idaho through a long career. Often she was the only medical person in rural Idaho mining and logging communities. She grew up in rural towns having been born in Murtaugh, ID where her Callen parents homesteaded. Upon marriage to George C. Smith in 1937, they lived in remote mining communities including Gibbonsville, Salmon and Idaho City. As rural neighbors discovered Nurse Helen, they welcomed her as their local medical consultant. Returning to Boise in the 1950s, she served BSU’s student medical center until her retirement. Helen was all about helping others. She did mending for veterans, baked for the church and doted on her large family. Into her 90's, even though losing her eyesight, she yearned to read and learn, ordering tapes to learn history and math, keeping her mind sharp through 104 years! Helen’s family is proud of her and their gratitude abounds. Preceded in death by her husband George, Helen is survived by 5 children, Kathleen Weaver, Michael G. Smith, Jerry C. Smith (Donna), Chris Smith (Parmalee) and Mary Toews (Rick), 12 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She was a member of Catholic parishes of St. John’s Cathedral and Our Lady of the Rosary parish where a Vigil will be held Dec. 28 at 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be December 29, 2016 at 11:00 AM.