Anne Walker (Thomas) Smith passed away April 30, 2019, at age 98 in Alpine, UT. She was born December 10, 1920, in Lindon, UT, to Harold Swensen Walker and Lucile Harvey Walker and grew up primarily in Pleasant Grove, UT. She married Adrian A. Thomas on August 13, 1943, in Sioux Falls, SD. They were the parents of: Sterling Walker Thomas (Carol), Teresa Jacobs (Weldon), Carolyn Jensen (Randall) and Suzanne McDougal (William). They reared their family in Texas, Oregon and Utah and Anne made many friends wherever they lived. She and Adrian later divorced.
Anne worked much of her married life. Prior to her marriage she was a newspaper reporter for a newspaper in Salt Lake City and for one in Provo. After her marriage she used her journalist training at the Fisher Advertising company in downtown Salt Lake. When the family moved to Portland, OR, in 1951, she worked in the offices of the Willamette Iron and Steel Works.
Although she had graduated from Brigham Young University prior to her marriage to Adrian, her thirst for knowledge later took her back to BYU to obtain her teaching credentials. She taught at Plymouth Elementary School in Taylorsville, UT. She then decided to return to the lecture hall once more and obtained her Librarian credentials. She became librarian at an elementary school in Kearns, UT, before obtaining a position as librarian at Bingham High School in South Jordan, UT. There she not only kept track of books, but counseled, loved and nurtured many students who still love her to this day.
In 1977 she met Percy J. Smith at a singles dance and their relationship deepened quickly. On December 17, 1977, Anne was sealed to Percy John Smith in the Provo Temple and she became the stepmom to Percy’s six children: Kathy Downey (Joe), Phillip Smith (Elisabeth), Diane Reider (Hale), Michael Smith (Carol), David Smith, and PJ Smith (Catha).
In the combined families of Percy and Anne, she has loved 44 grandchildren, 120 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren.
Because of Percy’s love of all people, Anne was finally able to become the hostess she had always longed to be. Their homes in Shadowbrook and on Sunny Lane (both with swimming pools) became the “family party headquarters” and many wonderful memories were created there for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren alike.
She served in many positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a vibrant testimony of the Gospel it represents. She served in many positions in the Young Women’s program, as a dance instructor (with Adrian), and as a Gospel Doctrine instructor multiple times. She especially loved working with teenagers and gravitated to them wherever she was. She also worked in a Stake Relief Society presidency and helped Percy with his assignments in wards at BYU.
In her later years she cherished her time as a full-time missionary with Percy in the Canada Calgary Mission while she learned what “cold” and “fun baptisms” really meant. A few years later she and Percy embarked on a second mission to the Ohio Cleveland Mission where they both helped the dear mission President by working in the mission office.
In addition, Anne spent several enjoyable years serving as a hostess in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. There she made many wonderful friends both in and out of the Church. She also thrived during a multiple-year opportunity as an instructor and a greeter at the Provo Utah Mission Training Center. How she loved to try to make the incoming couples and the new Elders and Sisters feel less stressed and more at home.
Anne’s last act of service was to donate her body to the University of Utah for medical research. As a result, there will be no viewing prior to and no interment following the service to celebrate her life. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers or other thoughtful gifts, you assist someone in need as a tribute to Anne’s life.
Her life celebration will be Saturday, May 11, 2019, at 165 N 100 E in Alpine, UT. Friends and family may commence visitation at 9:30 AM that morning. Visiting will conclude at 10:45 AM to accommodate the family prayer. The celebratory service will commence in the chapel at 11 AM.
The family wishes to extend their appreciation to all of her colleagues at the River Meadows Assisted Living center where she and Percy made so many wonderful friends and received such loving care. Appreciation also goes to the Brighton Hospice staff which was so kind to her in her last couple of months.
Anne was a friend to all. She looked out for the underdog. When i was relief society president in Sunset Heights 2nd ward she was the most requested visiting teaching partner. She could talk to teenagers… single moms… divorcees and made all feel special. An elect lady for us all to emulate. One of my true heros.
How lucky was I to have this incredible woman as my aunt! She made everyone feel special. She really listened when people talked to her. She gave great advice. My favorite memory is of a trip she made to San Francisco after she got divorced from her first husband (about 1978). My then-husband Nolan took us sailing on the Bay. She was giddy — she had so much fun (I on the other hand was sea sick). It was like she had a whole new lease on life and she was going to live it to the fullest. And…she did.
Anne was my activity day leader and later my friend. She made everyone feel as important as if you were her own child. She could see my future and knew it was bright when I didn’t see it myself. Being with Anne was one of life’s rarest treats!
Anne was one of my favorite people in the world! She made everyone feel like they were her favorite. She was so energetic and always jumped up to hug me. She is one of my heroes and I hope to have her zest for life and love for all. At age 92, she came to my birthday swim party and she was the life of the party! When I talked to her on the phone on her last birthday, I asked her how she was doing and she said, “Well, I’m elderly!” 🙂 What a doll! I’m sure that heaven is full of joy upon her arrival.
I knew Anne at Bingham High. She was my favorite teacher, friend and confidant. She had a way of making you feel like you were special and loved. I’m not sure I could have made it through high school without her. Much love and prayers to her family.
I grew up knowing Anne Thomas. We were neighbors and friends. My mother and Anne were both born the same year, and both had young children to raise. They became close friends sharing the joys and challenges of child rearing as well as the struggles and sorrows that each experienced. The Bytheway family loved and admired the Thomas family. My father and Adrian were both called to serve with a new bishop in 1960.
Anne was the heart and soul of the Thomas household. She was a meticulous housekeeper and always cheerful and welcoming when as a boy I came to play with Teresa and Carolyn. I remember the old Singer Sewing Machine she kept in the living room that was powered with a foot treadle. I also remember locking myself in their bathroom, and crying because I didn’t know how to free myself. Anne came to my rescue and kindly and patiently talked me through the mechanics of doorknob buttons.
The last time I saw Anne was about 10 years ago when she and Teresa came to visit my mother in a hospital rehab where my mother was recovering from a hip fracture. My mother smiled over that visit. She clearly loved Anne and was thrilled to see her again. That visit meant a great deal to her.
I grew up two doors down from Anne and Percy on Sunny Lane. As a little girl, I would often walk down to visit Anne and Percy and I never understood why my mom would be so upset when she would inevitably find me. She always said things like, “you can’t just leave without telling me where you’re going” and “I had no idea where you were”. I was always just having a lovely time eating m&m’s and chatting with two of my favorite people. Anne always called me her “youngest best friend” and she truly made me feel that way. When I visited Anne and Percy a few years ago, I asked how they were doing and Anne cheerfully replied, “I’m Percy’s legs and he’s my eyes, so we do ok!” My life is better because I knew Anne. I hope to be like her when I grow up!
I grew up two doors down from Anne and Percy on Sunny Lane. As a little girl, I would often walk down to visit Anne and Percy and I never understood why my mom would be so upset when she would inevitably find me. She always said things like, “you can’t just leave without telling me where you’re going” and “I had no idea where you were”. I was always just having a lovely time eating m&m’s and chatting with two of my favorite people. Anne always called me her “youngest best friend” and she truly made me feel that way. When I visited Anne and Percy a few years ago, I asked how they were doing and Anne cheerfully replied, “I’m Percy’s legs and he’s my eyes, so we do ok!” Her positivity was always inspiring. My life is better because I knew Anne. I hope to be like her when I grow up!