Helen Smedley

Helen Delell Brunson Smedley (age 96) peacefully passed away in her home early Tuesday morning, October 6, 2020.

Helen was born to the best of parents, Peter Lorenzo Brunson Jr and Isabel Carling, on May 29, 1924 in Fillmore, Utah. She was the youngest of 6 children, having two brothers, Ellsworth and Brandon, and three sisters, Mae, who died at birth, Marilyn, and Marjorie.

Helen fully believed that she “lived in the greatest generation!” She enjoyed a carefree and magical childhood!  She was reared and educated in Fillmore, graduating from Millard Stake Senior Seminary in 1941, Millard High School in 1942, and Logan Institute of Religion and Utah State Agricultural College in 1947 – which is where she met her sweetheart Dale Thurgood Smedley. Helen and Dale married in the Salt Lake Temple on April 20, 1945. They settled in Syracuse, Utah (Dale’s hometown) and moved to Mountain Green, Utah in 1965.

Helen had many talents, excelling particularly in the arts. She began writing poetry in her early childhood – writing dozens of poems over the years, several of which have been published. She won multiple interpretive reading, storytelling, and speech contests; enjoyed playing in major roles in school, church, and community theater productions; wrote and directed numerous Melodramas and Road Shows for Ward and Stake church productions; and was the conductor of the Syracuse Singing Mothers group.

Helen was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in the Relief Society, Young Women, Sunday School and Primary organizations, wherever called, into her late 80s. She served as an Ogden Temple ordinance worker with Dale and they served together in the Kentucky Louisville Mission in 1992-1993. Helen was also an active participant of Daughters of Utah Pioneers for over 60 years, serving as Lesson Leader for decades. In her nineties, Helen continued to strive for excellence earning her Young Womanhood Recognition award and medallion at the age of 91! Jesus Christ, and living His gospel, helped Helen develop into the best version of herself. We are blessed to have her as our mother/grandmother/friend. How did we get so lucky?!

Helen was a faithful daughter, sister, mother, and wife. She was a stalwart companion and support to Dale in his life and business ventures and was a committed homemaker. She enjoyed vacationing with Dale, with friends, or with the entire family – learning much from the world around her and building memories! Her extensive travels instilled within her the virtue of gratitude and enhanced her ability to teach, understand, and love others. She was a wonderful friend – beloved by people of all ages! She set an inspiring example in her daily way of living – impacting the lives of thousands in a profound way – especially the lives of her posterity – Her Greatest Legacy!

Helen loved to entertain and was a wonderful hostess! She was generous and kind and people loved to be where she was. She had a great sense of humor and ability to laugh at herself. She is known for her poetry, storytelling, amazing speaking abilities, her incredible memory, her firm testimony and scriptural knowledge, she was a ministering angel to many (a better visiting teacher cannot be found), and she was a gifted Master Teacher!

Our mother looked forward to reuniting with Dad for almost two decades and what a reunion that must have been! She will be greatly missed, but we are happy for her. Mom established wonderful traditions in our family that have helped to create loving unity and strong bonds. Family Reunions, the Easter Egg Hunt, and our Family Christmas Eve party, to name a few, will not be the same without her. We will be mindful in maintaining these traditions; we will strive to remain close and thoughtful as a family; and we will seek to honor her name!

Helen was the last remaining leaf on both her Brunson and Smedley immediate family tree. Surviving are her six children and beloved spouses: Terry (Susanne) Smedley, Layton, Utah; Scott (Juliet) Smedley, Layton, Utah; Marilyn (Richard) Nicholes, Kent, Washington; Craig (Jana) Smedley, Murrieta, California; Melanie (Kelly) Lane, Mountain Green, Utah; Lori (Scott) Standing, Mountain Green, Utah; and Thai foster daughter, Muu Sukannika (Kosy) Phibulphanuvat , Las Vegas, Nevada. Her posterity also includes 35 grandchildren and their amazing spouses and 93 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to express thanks to the many family and friends who visited and helped care for Mom this year, with special thanks extended to Dale and Ken Hicks and Symbii Hospice Nurses, Shaylee and Candace, for their tender care and service. Friends and family are invited to a viewing that will be held Friday, October 9, 2020 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. or Saturday morning October 10 from 12:30-1:30, both of which will be held at the Highlands Church Building located at 5378 West Old Highway Road in Mountain Green, Utah. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2:00 p.m. for immediate family. Interment will be in the Mountain Green Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, play a game and make a memory with your family in honor of Helen!

Unfortunately, due to COVID19 restrictions, we cannot welcome all wishing to attend the funeral. Those wishing to view the service may access it through the following Zoom link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85263303695

Those attending the viewing and funeral are asked to please wear a mask.