Jeanne Audrey Smith passed away on July 11, 2023 in Hermiston at the age of 87.
She was born on Nov. 8, 1935 in Baker City to Warren Mitchell and Dorothy Schoenbaechler Mitchell.
She attended St. Francis De Sales Academy, then graduated from the new Baker City High School down the street from her home. Following graduation, Jeanne worked for Leo Adler in Baker City. She met William “Bill” Smith in Medford and married at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jacksonville on Feb. 7, 1959. They were married for 50 years. Bill, Jeanne and their children lived in several cities throughout Oregon, moving to Pendleton in 1972.
With the help of her friends in the Blue Mountain Good Sam Club, she raised several thousands of dollars for Doernbecher Hospital. The money was used to fund doctors’ visits for cystic fibrosis patients in their hometowns beyond Portland.
Jeanne was an avid genealogist and spent years building a large library, tracing her family’s roots to Europe. She was active in the Pendleton Country Club, women’s bowling leagues at Pendleton Lanes, St. Mary’s Auxiliary Thrift Shop, and Blue Mountain Good Sam Club.
Jeanne is survived by her sister, Margaret Ray, Hermiston; four children, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren: son, Warren Smith (Angela), Brianna (Tim), Kailyn and Tyler Gillman; son, Tim Smith (Amy); grandson, Trevor (Eva), Hays and Cameron Smith; granddaughter, Tia (Ryan), Scout and Sage Sharp, Pendleton; son, Greg Smith; granddaughter, Taylor (Danny), Lydia Buckmier; granddaughter, Zoey, Portland; daughter, Theresa (Scott) Fowler; and granddaughters, Tatum and Jillian Fowler, Salem.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Warren and Dorothy Mitchell; sister, Mary Jane Guyer; and husband, Bill.
Following her wishes, a formal service will not be held.
Contributions can be made to the Oregon Health and Science University Cystic Fibrosis Patient Support Fund. Online contributions can be made at https://give.ohsufoundation.org/. In the dropdown menu, choose “other area” and type Cystic Fibrosis Patient Support Fund. This is the fund that Blue Mountain Good Sam donated to. You can put Good Sam or Jeanne Smith, or a combo. Thank you.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
