Patricia Reiser Smith
March 10, 1928 - June 28, 2022
Beloved mother, friend and Christian, Patricia Reiser Smith passed away peacefully at home, Tuesday, June 28, 2022, surrounded by her family.
She was active in the Lutheran Church in her later years. She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 10, 1928 to parents Henry and Ruth Reiser. She adored her younger sister, Mary.
She attended Garfield Elementary, Irving Junior High and graduated from South High School in 1946. She loved her job at Salt Lake City Library, where she met many lifelong friends. Everyone who knew her appreciated her contributions, her intellect, her advocacy for those she supervised. She was unfailingly generous and charitable. She understood the real meaning of Grace. Her life absolutely demonstrated it. For years she had flags placed at the Memory Grove World War II memorial when she observed that there were none.
She married the boy she grew up with, who lived just across the street. George Robert Smith, a veteran of World II, Bob was madly in love with Pat. She adored Bob’s slapstick and very creative sense of humor. He always made her laugh. From this happy marriage came three precious sons, Thomas, James and Richard.
Pat was a mover and a shaker when it came to their many travels. They saw a good deal of the world and enjoyed every priceless moment.
She was never one to mince words; she was loving and generous to a fault, but never overly sweet. Above all she was an astute judge of character. She had great instincts. She was your forever friend.
A long-ago tribute:
We are like a pair of hands
My friend and I,
She the left and I the right.
We move separately from each other
Each with our own functions and purposes.
Sometimes we touch, quietly feeling.
But when a burden is too much to bear
One hand reaches for the other.
Two hands together have strength to hold
What is too heavy for me alone.
~For Pat Smith on her birthday from Katy (Clawson Jacobson)
Pat was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Mary; her son, Richard; her beloved Bob.
Survived by sons Tom, Jim and daughter-in-law, Kate; God-daughter Patricia, several nieces and nephews and a wide circle of friends.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.
In Loving Memory
I have such fond memories of Pat at the Salt Lake City Public Library. She was a sweet and gentle person, but had a sly sense of humor. I want to send my condolences to the family who has lost a wonderful lady.
Pat had such sparkle. She was a role model for me, she was positive, lively, opinionated and kind. She was a good gardener and could brew a proper cup of tea. My thought are with Jim, Tom and Kate.
Pat Smith was my Godmother, I am her namesake, and she was my mother's best friend. They had met as young women, working at the Sprague Library in Sugar House. The last place they worked was the Salt Lake City Public Library, downtown. They were respected as the brilliant and clever women they were. Anyone working alongside or supervised by either of them counted themselves fortunate. Momma and Pat were life-long Episcopalians, and their faith sustained them and nurtured me. I am bereft, but take comfort in the words of the poem my mother wrote for her friend long ago. Momma reached out her hand, for Pat's, and somewhere a heavenly Library just received another bibliophile. Blessings on Pat's memory, and peace to all who loved her.
Pat was a smart, funny and loving friend and colleague. She brought joy and laughter to the library and to life. I am grateful she was a part of my world. My thoughts are with Jim and Tom. n.
In Loving Memory
