Diana Gayle Smith

Smith, Diana Gayle
Diana Gayle Smith was born on February 14, 1950 in Austin, Texas and passed away peacefully, on May 10, 2011. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She will be fondly remembered as a person who loved to be around friends, travel, and work on her garden. She leaves behind her husband of 29 years, Don; son Erik Tellef (Kate, Jack and Sam); son Brent Smith (Melissa, Cadence and Chloe); daughter Brandie Hagaman (Damien); and her dog Boo. Gayle had two brothers, Neil and Ken Potthoff. Gayle spent much of her life as an educator, serving as a teacher and administrator for Mesa Public School District and Maricopa School Districts. She and her husband traveled throughout the United States and Canada training educators on teaching techniques. When time permitted the family enjoyed their cabin in the pines just outside Payson where Gayle enjoyed riding alongside the kids on their ATV's. Gayle loved to cook and was always experimenting on us. She liked traveling to Europe, Canada and winter vacations often included a ski trip or two. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Gayle's name to the Arizona Human Society of Arizona. A celebration of life is planned for family and friends to honor Gayle.