Barbara Helen (Mealer) Smedley

Barbara Helen Mealer Smedley, age 77, our loving, caring, giving, beautiful wife, mother, grandmother, sister and dearest friend went to her eternal reward on September 25, 2015. She passed with dignity, determination and grace, in her home, having received visits from many of her dearest friends and surrounded by her family.

Barbara was born August 14, 1938 in Twin Falls, Idaho. She is sealed to her mother Christena Lura Roberts Mealer Krupp and Robert Rudolph Krupp. On June 15, 1985 she married Merrill Thompson Smedley, who became her best friend, and they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on May 15, 1987.

She was a dedicated member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and loved attending the Temple. She faithfully accepted many church callings, and particularly loved the 6 years spent serving with her eternal companion at a Branch of the Church in the Wasatch Valley Rehabilitation Center near their home.

Even in her professional life, her career choice was serving others. She was a graduate of Brigham Young University, receiving an Associate Degree in nursing, after which she spent many years working at LDS and St Marks Hospitals in Salt Lake City, Utah. She excelled as an operating room nurse, becoming one of a few nurses able to work on the most complex hand and heart surgeries. She had to retire in 1993 as a result of health problems involving surgery in her head.

She has left an enduring legacy of faith, compassion and exemplary strength in overcoming life's challenges with a positive attitude and humor. She always had a genuine compliment and an enthusiastic smile for everyone who came into her presence and would tell many "I love you". In all aspects of her life, she was dedicated to tirelessly serving others and placing their needs above her own; this is where she truly found joy.

One of Barbara's passions was sewing. She loved the opportunity to make an abundance of blankets, comforters, pillows and pillow cases for her family members; particularly for her grandchildren.

Barbara and Merrill also enjoyed spending time at their cabin in Heber, going to the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City and various travel experiences.

She loved hugs, seeing moose, spending time with her grandchildren, having them sleep-over and fixing them breakfast, going to lunch with her friends from Fresno, reading the scriptures or having them read to her, watching LDS church conference on TV and attending Church services.

She is predeceased by her parents, a sister Betty Mealer (Karl) Manwaring and a brother Donald (Corinne) Mealer.

Barbara is survived by her daughter Elisa Christina Merrill (Christopher) Foster and her sons, Grant Hyde (Crystal) Merrill, Daniel Abraham "Danny" (Heidi) Loewen and Lincoln Isaiah (Tonje) Loewen.  Step-daughters Dixie Smedley (David) Schaugaard, Shellie Smedley (Steve) Martin, Susan Ann Smedley (Ron) Stewart, Melissa Jean Smedley and Katrina Lyn Smedley Johnson (Eric) Mitchell. Step-sons Daren Merrill (Heather) Smedley and Eric Lamont (Tiffany) Smedley. She has many nieces and nephews including a special niece Kara "Kit" Manwaring (Clayton) Hunt who was of great help to her. Also a bother Jack Mealer, a sister Margaret Mealer Lakey.

Granddaughters are Jessica Foster, Sadie, Mollie, Lucy, Selina and Amilia Loewen. Step-granddaughters are Kayla Schaugaard, Alta Martin, Amber Martin Ferguson, Annabelle, London, Ashlee and Hailee Smedley, Dakota and Rorie Stewart, Lexia Johnson and Evie Mitchell. Grandsons are Bryce (missionary in Argentina) and Drew Merrill (missionary in Guatemala), Collin, Jason (missionary in Argentina), Ethan and Trevor Foster, Jeremy and Asher Loewen. Step-grandsons are Bryant, Preston and Hunter Schaugaard, Colten Martin, Jonah, Bracken and Tyson Smedley, Tavin Miller, Justin Johnson, Xander, Ricky and Travis Mitchell.

A viewing will be held Tuesday September 29, 2015 at Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, Salt Lake City from 6 to 8 PM. The funeral service will be held at the LDS chapel located at 2245 East 3900 South, Salt Lake City on Wednesday September 30, 2015 at 11 am, where a viewing will be held prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Interment to follow at the Bountiful City Cemetery. Messages and tributes to the family can be posted at: www.HolbrookMortuary.com

Donations in her honor can be made to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionary fund or a charity of your choice.