Aline Coleman Smith

1911 - 2017

July 2, 1911 ~ January 9, 2017
Aline Coleman Smith, 105-1/2, beloved mother, wife, aunt, sister, teacher, and sweet- spirited friend to so many, passed away peacefully on January 9th, 2017, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born July 2, 1911 in Provo, Utah to Jacob and Allie Smoot Coleman. She quickly assumed her role as caring eldest child and mother's helper, watching over her siblings throughout their childhoods. Her parents must have had a sense, even in those early years, that Aline would eventually take care of them - which she did for a number of years at the end of their lives. Jacob was a Provo City attorney and very active in local civic affairs throughout his life. Aline's mother, Allie, was the granddaughter of Abraham O. Smoot, mayor of both SLC and Provo and an ambitious, resourceful administrator in the formative years of BYU. Allie was also the source of Aline's sweet-tempered, generous personality. Aline was the oldest of five children and is survived by her "baby" sister, Genevieve "Jenny" Coleman Walker. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Virgil J. Smith, her son, Jay Coleman Smith, brothers, Dr. James Smoot Coleman and Dr. Sherman Smoot Coleman and sister, Martha Coleman Miner.
Aline attended elementary through high school at Brigham Young Training School, where she discovered her lifelong passion for dance. She went on to study Modern Dance with the illustrious early pioneers Ted Shawn and Ruth St. Denis in New York, and with Margaret H'Doubler at the University of Wisconsin. She graduated with high honors from BYU in 1933 with degrees in both Physical Education and Education.
Aline was instrumental in founding the dance program at BYU, and continued to teach and choreograph there for 10 years after her graduation. Choreography was her greatest passion, especially the crafting of large ensemble works to classical music. Her younger sister Martha, was an award-winning classical pianist who played for Aline's classes and dances; the two were a marvelous artistic team. Aline would imagine and choreograph dances in her mind as she listened to Martha's playing at home.
Aline married Virgil J. Smith in 1933. Their son Jay was born in 1939. Soon after, the family moved to Boise, Idaho, where Aline became very active in the YWCA, developing dance and movement programs for adults. During a trip to Copenhagen, Denmark she fell in love with Danish cross-stitch, needlepoint and petit point. Soon after, she embarked on what was to become a 30-year passion for creating original needlework of her own. These pieces adorn the furniture and walls of her loved ones to this day.
Following her husband Virgil's death in 1992, Aline moved to SLC to be closer to her large extended family and childhood friends. For many years, she and her sister, Martha, shared a home in Holladay full of music, art and good humor.
In 2006 they moved to Highland Cove, living just down the hall from one another.
Throughout her life, Aline was a great reader and avid student of literature and history. Even as her eyesight deteriorated, she continued to enjoy audiobooks - listening to 5 or 6 a week, which her younger sister Jenny supplied - scouring local libraries to keep up with
Aline's voracious reading appetite. Aline was also a member of Daughters of Utah Pioneers and Daria Book Club, where she made many lifelong friends.
Aline will be especially remembered for her loving, open-hearted generosity and wide- ranging friendships. She remained very close to her extended family and leaves behind a legion of friends at Highland Cove and throughout the region.
There will be a small family Graveside Service in Boise, Idaho at a later date.
Aline's family would like to especially thank all of her dear friends, the Olpin family, Dr. Margaret Lunt and her nurse Shannon for their love and kindness over the years, and CNS Hospice for their recent care.
Memorial donations in honor of Aline may be made to either DSBVI (Utah Blind Center) at 250 North 1950 West Ste. B, SLC, UT 84116-7902 or to the BYU Modern Dance fund at give.byu.edu/aline.