Kathryn Hurst Smith

Nate and Clayton and I traveled to Seattle in October for Nate's mother's funeral.  It was a sad but beautiful day.  The weather was drizzly but in combination with the stunning fall colors it was perfect.  Nate gave a fantastic talk - one that made me think about the overall arc of a persons life and the purpose (and even blessing) of adversity and sacrifice.  Clayton played an arrangment of "Nearer My God to Thee" on the piano.  It was heartfelt and beautiful.  I was glad he was able to use his talents to carry on her legacy and honor her grandmother.

We had some time to drive around Seattle.  I am amazing by the beauty.  The contrast of gray skies and vibrant fall colors was absolutely stunning - like a black and white photograph with spashes of here and there of bright colors.

 We spent Saturday morning touring the Boeing factory.

And the afternoon in gorgeous Seattle.

We flew out before the sun came up and passed Mt. Hood just as the sunrise broke the horizon.  This earth of ours is glorious!

Here is a copy of the obituary.  I love and miss Kathy. She was an amazing, talented, and courageous person.  I am amazed by her life, her span of influence, and all the good she did in both big and small ways.

Kathryn Hurst Smith, cherished daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away October 2, 2015. Although illness and injury greatly limited her earthly existence in recent years, her tenacity and inner light could never be dimmed. 

Kathy was born August 3, 1955, in Metairie, Louisiana to goodly parents, Clayton R. and Norma Carruth Hurst, joining big brother Scott. The young family moved to Denver and then Southern California when Kathy was still very young. They settled in La Crescenta, California, where Kathy became big sister to Barbara and Susan, who idolized her. Hers was an idyllic childhood, and she a delightful, obedient daughter. Ever a bright and determined spirit, she excelled in school, music, church responsibilities and all things good.

With high honors and the school’s top citizenship award, Kathryn was the graduation speaker for the Crescenta Valley High School Class of 1973. That fall, she attended BYU on an academic scholarship.

She married William J. Smith on February 21, 1975 in the Los Angeles California LDS temple and moved to Salt Lake City where Kathy and Bill continued their studies at the University of Utah.

In August of 1976 Kathy moved to Glendale California and in March of 1977 Kathy gave birth to their first son Nathan.  A year later the family moved to Millbrae, 10 miles south of San Francisco. 

While in Glendale and Millbrae, Kathy finished her college degree by taking correspondence classes and attending local colleges. She graduated from the University of Utah magna cum laude with a degree in Family and Consumer Studies. 

In February 1979, Kathy and Bill moved to the Seattle area and bought their first house in the Newport Hills community where they lived for 10 years. Three more children joined the family during this time: Sara in April 1979, Drew in January 1982 and Becca in June 1985.

In February of 1990 the family moved to a new home on Cougar Mountain in south Bellevue, WA. Starting with rough drawings on a yellow pad and finishing with the placement of the last plant in the yard, this home was conceived, designed and decorated by Kathy. Visitors frequently commented on the home’s beauty, warmth and livability. She loved gardening, often spending up to 30 hours a week outside and personally selected the hundreds of plants that made the yard beautiful. 

Kathy was a talented pianist and organist. The first time Bill ever saw her she was 17 years old and playing the organ in a church service.  She was also an accomplished seamstress, famous for making creative costumes for parties, holidays and other occasions. Her Halloween costumes were legendary, particularly the ones worn by the family’s black Labrador retriever, Nike. 

Kathy dedicated her life to her two overriding great loves: her extended family and her faith. 

She was tireless and willing to sacrifice anything for her children. She was active in their school, church, athletic and other activities. She shared their successes and their disappointments. She was immensely proud of them and their families.

Her faith in God and her commitment to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were unwavering. In addition to musical assignments, Kathy enthusiastically accepted numerous leadership and teaching callings in the Church’s Primary children’s program, Young Womens’ youth program and Relief Society women’s auxiliary.

The last few years of her life Kathy battled the debilitating effects of Multiple Sclerosis. Over time, this disease took many things from her, but not her love, courage, graciousness, kindness, sweetness or faith.

Kathy lived a life dedicated to serving others and her Heavenly Father. Her loved ones will forever feel the abiding influence of her goodness and can affirm with joy that she has fought a good fight, has finished her course, has kept the faith and henceforth there is laid up for her a crown of righteousness.