Alicia Waldeen Smyth (Wally)
ALICIA WALDEEN SMYTH (WALLY)
Alicia Waldeen Smyth (Wally), 59, of Bouse, Ariz., and St. Ignatius, passed away Jan. 25 from complications related to gall stones. Alicia was born in 1957 to Alvin “Babe” and Arleen (Anderson) Wolfe in Ronan. She completed first through eleventh grade in Ronan and her senior year in St. Ignatius, graduating in 1976. She married Russell T. Smyth in 1975. Throughout her life, she was a committed and devoted wife and mother to three children. Alicia worked several part-time jobs, but her primary work involved co-operating the family’s ranch and caring for her family.
Alicia loved rural life, especially Montana ranch life and was an avid horsewoman. She trained and rode horses for work and show, and passed this love of ranch life and horses to her children. Alicia spent countless hours preparing for and shuttling her daughters to horse shows around the state. In her later years, when Alicia was no longer able to ride horses, she developed a passion for riding ATVs in the desert around Bouse, Ariz., where she enjoyed spending her winters. She also developed a love for cats, four of whom (Camry, Turbo, Tiny, and Piggy) were very lucky to receive the best of care and affection from her.
Throughout her whole life, Alicia was a big fan of stock car racing. She regularly cheered on and supported her brother, Cory, and later her son, Jeff. She could always be counted on to lend her support and applause during races and to make sure the racers and pit crews were well taken care of and fed, both in preparation for and during race weekends.
Alicia will be remembered for her caring, compassion, and cooking. Alicia and Russell regularly took into their home and cared for young people who needed support and guidance. Especially in later years, she enjoyed and took great pride in hosting and cooking for friends and family both in Montana and Arizona. And she was a damn good cook! She made her homes into welcoming gathering places where people could come for camaraderie and sustenance. Alicia was an honest person with a great sense of humor who loved to laugh (often until she cried!), enjoyed a good practical joke, and generously shared her joy with others, but who also wasn’t afraid to call-it-like-it-was when needed.
Alicia is preceded in death by her mother and father, Arleen and Alvin Wolfe and brother Kevin Lee Wolfe. She is survived by her husband, Russell Smyth of St. Ignatius; son Jeff Smyth (wife Kelly) of St. Ignatius; daughter Jolene Smyth (wife Kristi) of Lincoln, Neb.; daughter Jamie Susemiehl (husband Mark) of Colville, Wash.; brother Cory Wolfe (partner Judy) of Pablo; four grandchildren who were the light of her life (Lane Smyth, Levi Smyth, Tyson Smyth Chambers, and McKenna Susemiehl); many nieces and nephews; and numerous friends who she cherished dearly.
A memorial will be held in the summer of 2017 in Montana (details to be announced). In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation through https://www.gofundme.com/Russell-Alicia-Medical-Fund to help the family cover the costs of Alicia’s medical expenses.