Marie Smith Anderson

Alta Marie Smith Anderson passed away peacefully after a long standing illness. Marie was born the fifth and youngest of five children to Arthur Bennion Smith and Edna Willis Smith on January 14, 1936 in Monroe, Utah. Her four brothers have preceded her in death. She led a charmed life, often expressing her happy thoughts of growing up in Sevier County with fresh air and lifelong friendships. Her early life saw uncertainty and sorrow with the loss of her 13-year- old brother Clair in 1942 and three older brothers heading off to war. Marie remembered rationing candy during the “war years” – especially bubblegum. She cared for numerous cats, a jersey cow a couple of protective mallard ducks – flanking her on either side – and her beloved childhood buddy and faithful dog, Pug. She accompanied her mother on various teaching positions throughout the state of Utah as a young student, while her father taught high school English and science. She had fond memories of living in Ibapah, as her mother taught in the small schoolhouse. She also remarked that her mother was quite a skilled horsewoman and would take Marie horseback riding.

As she grew older, Marie attended South Sevier High School as a member of the pep club, a student body officer and correspondent for the Ram newspaper, graduating in 1954. While attending Brigham Young University, she was a member of the Kappa Deb social unit and graduated with a degree in education in 1958. While a freshman at BYU, she met Oscar Gene Anderson, a member of the track team. They were married March 20, 1959 in the Salt Lake Temple.

Marie loved teaching 5th and 6th grade in the Provo, Salt Lake and Granite School Districts and had a few memorable stories to tell. Her teaching skills came in handy while raising her children – morning chores, homework schedules, the small orange study table, private lessons and bedtime stories are remembered vividly. Outdoor play with neighborhood friends was also encouraged. Mom was an avid reader, especially biographies and found joy in most of Earth’s creatures, except snakes. Marie was Scotch to the core and a force to reckon with; yet, she took a genuine interest in others and could strike up a conversation with just about anybody.

Marie is preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Dr. A. Willis (Helene), Dr. Thales H. (Charone), Keith A. (Viada) and Clair Smith. Marie is survived by her husband Oscar G. Anderson (Ed D) and children Charisse (Mark) Ferguson and Preston (Noemi and her children Sinead, Justin, Joshua)

We appreciate all the love and support shown to Marie in her final life challenge by Dr. Margaret Lunt and her nurse Ronda and aide Wendy, as we navigated home hospice care. Thank you so much for your compassion and expertise.

One final note… We think Marie will now be explaining to those Sevier County bumblebees from long ago, the reason she loved to shake them up in the brilliant orange poppy blossoms – delighting in the chase around her family home, with a bumblebee in hot pursuit.

We will be receiving guests the evening of Friday, August 19th from 6:00 to 8:00PM at Starks Funeral Parlor. Guests are encouraged to park on the north side of the building.

A graveside service will be on Saturday, August 20th at 11:00AM at Elysian Gardens, 1075 East 4580 South, Salt Lake City, UT. There will be an order of service at the graveside, we encourage all guests that need to sit to bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the program of Marie's life.

In lieu of flowers, think of someone special or an animal in need. Make the world a better place.