1912 – 2004
Florence E. Smith, 91, died Jan. 7 at her home in Elgin.
A celebration of her life and memorial service will he held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Elgin with Elmer Yoder officiating. A private vault interment was held Jan. 10 at the Elgin Cemetery.
Ms. Smith was born in Gridley, Calif., to Henrietta Cruikshank and Ira Smith on Sept. 17, 1912. As a small child, she moved to Elgin, where she attended Gordon Creek Grade School and Elgin High School. Teachers considered her an outstanding student; she received top grades.
She graduated from Eastern Oregon Normal School with a teacher’s certificate. She taught school and later worked at Birnie’s Jewelry in L Grande. She belonged to a number of clubs including Business and Professional Women.
She returned to Elgin to take care of her mother and was very active in the Elgin Methodist Church, where she was an officer for many years. Even in her 90s she helped serve meals at the Elgin Senior Center.
She enjoyed gardening and sharing her vegetables. Her flower garden brought many compliments. She was a good cook and entertained at many family dinners. She loved to read. She was a kind, generous person who will be missed, family members said.
Survivors include her brothers, tom Smith and his wife, Orlena, of Ontario, and George Smith and his wife Sharon, of Elgin. A sister, Marie Blanchard, lives in Portland. A brother, Harry smith, and sister, Beulah Sams, died earlier.
Remembrances may be made to Shriners Hospital, 3101 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland 97827, or Elgin United Methodist Church, Elgin, 97827, directly or sent in care of the Loveland Funeral Chapel, 1508 Fourth St., La Grande 97850
The Observer, La Grande, Union County, Oregon, Tuesday, January 13, 2004