Elvira (Elly) Elizabeth Smith

Elvira (Elly) Elizabeth Smith, 91, of Madras, Oregon, passed away on September 27, 2024, at Countryside Living in Redmond, Oregon. Elly was born to John and Lulu Phillips in Portland, Oregon, on December 2, 1932. 

After graduating from Jefferson High School, Elly began working at Good Samaritan Hospital, where she met Owen Smith, the love of her life and husband of 72 years. They were married on November 5, 1950.

Elly was a personal secretary at Zell Brothers Jewelers in downtown Portland before she and Owen moved their young family to Madras to start a new dental practice.

Elly enjoyed a busy life as a young mother, cooking, sewing, crafting, decorating, singing, playing the piano, tending to her flower garden, and hosting many regular gatherings. She was active at their dental office and was known as a cheerful, smiling person ready to greet patients and friends.

The family enjoyed traveling to national parks and many camping trips to Canada and the Wallowa Mountains in northeastern Oregon, hiking, backpacking, telling stories, or singing around the campfire. They traveled with family and friends in the winter to enjoy Hawaii's tropical warmth and beauty.

Her three daughters survive her: Sherri Whitaker (David) of Portland, Oregon; Kathy Hunt (Cass); and Dianna Barrett (John) of Madras, Oregon.

She is remembered forever as a loving grandmother to Chelsea Morrill (Josh) of Scappoose, Oregon; Karly Tolman (Tayt) of Glendale, Arizona; Trevor Barrett of Madras, Oregon; and Amanda Hason (Aleem) of Hawthorne, California. Her legacy lives on through her five great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents and husband, Dr. Owen Smith.

Services will be held for Elly at Prineville Funeral Home on Saturday, October 19, at 2 p.m. We invite you to join us to honor and commemorate Elly's life. Your cherished memories and stories are encouraged and appreciated as we pay tribute to the love she shared with us.

For those who wish to leave a meaningful tribute, life-honoring donations can be made to the Cure Alzheimer's Fund at https://curealz.org/giving/donate/to to support scientists in finding the most promising research toward preventing, slowing, or reversing Alzheimer's disease.

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