Jenny Smith Lambdin
MISSOULA — “Some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity.”
— Gilda Radner
On Jan. 7, 2007, Jenny Smith Lambdin, 28, lost her life to melanoma. She died at her mother’s home with great support and love from her family and friends. Jenny’s ever-present sense of humor and loving nature aided her family through this difficult experience.
Jenny was born March 11, 1978, in Ronan to Greg and Marie Smith. She was the first born and only female child with three younger brothers. Jenny and her brothers had a very close and loving relationship and it was known she was “the boss.”
Jenny attended schools in Charlo, Belgrade and Missoula. She graduated from Big Sky High School in 1996. Jenny was married to John Lambdin on April 6, 2001. After marriage, she graduated from the University of Montana in 2003.
Jenny lived and worked in Missoula, her “Zoo Town.” Jenny worked as a casino attendant during and after college. Prior to becoming an independent contractor in medical transcription, Jenny worked as transcriptionist for Community Medical Center. Through her work, Jenny developed many lasting friendships with co-workers and patrons.
Jen’s favorite pastimes were outdoors. She loved fishing, camping and hunting. This July, Jenny adopted a black Lab named Star. Trail walks by the river was a favorite enjoyment for both of them. If you have seen a blonde with a three-legged black lab by the river, then you’ve seen Jenny.
Jenny is survived by her mother, Helen Marie Peterson (Len) of Pablo; her father, Greg (Kim) Smith of Charlo; her brothers, Dustin Smith and Tim Smith of Missoula and Shane Smith of Charlo; her grandmothers, Helen Leishman and Lorelie Smith, both of Charlo; and numerous aunts and uncles and cousins. Jenny also leaves behind special friends, Lavan Lukes, Justin Roy and Mike Santa Cruz.
Preceding Jenny in death were her grandfathers, Eugene Leishman and Gerald Smith Sr. of Charlo; an uncle, Dean Leishman of Charlo; and a most favorite aunt, Luann Leishman of Charlo. Jenny was very recently preceded in death by her great-grandmother, Margaret Clawson of Charlo who died at 103 years of age on Jan. 1. How comforting it is to know Jenny has their presence and love with her now.
The family expresses gratitude to all those who assisted in her care: Doctors Lindley, Howard, Snyder and Maliki; the staff of St. Patrick Hospital; the staff of St. Luke Hospital; and Margaret with Lake County Hospice.
Funeral services were held Jan. 11 in the Faith Lutheran Church in Ronan with the Rev. Rand Drollman officiating. Interment was in the Ronan Cemetery. The family requests that memorials be made to the organization of the donor’s choice.
Shrider-Thompson Funeral and Cremation Services of Ronan assisted with arrangements.