Kathleen Rowley Smith

Kathleen Rowley Smith joined her best friend and eternal companion on October 21, 2024, when she returned to the presence of her Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. Kathy was born June 3, 1949, to Lorin Hans and Frances Terry Rowley. She was the fifth of what would be six daughters. Kathy loved playing croquet and ping pong, camping, hiking, and playing board games with her family. She remained close to her sisters throughout her life and enjoyed weekly Zoom visits with them. Kathy met the love of her life, Clark Delbert Smith, through a close friend. They were married on November 2, 1967, in the Salt Lake Temple. Shortly after getting married, Clark enlisted in the Army and Kathy was the devoted wife following him to Alabama, New Mexico, and finally Germany where they lived twice. 

  You did not have to know Kathy very long to know family was important to her. She loved being a mother and wife. She and Clark raised five children and loved spending time with them. Sunday evenings with popcorn and orange juice, camping trips in the summer, Monday nights weeding the garden, and family traditions for every holiday were a big part of their lives. Kathy worked as a dental assistant for a few years and loved meeting people and getting to know them. It was not unusual for her to excitedly report who came into the dentist office that day. One of her favorite T-shirts read, "Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma; I just keep getting better and better." Becoming a grandma was a highlight of her life and she loved creating memories with her children and grandchildren. Lip syncs in the backyard on the third of July, Easter basket string outs, Halloween parties, Valentine scavenger hunts, and crafts and soup during the Priesthood Session of General Conference were favorite activities of hers. 

  Kathy loved to read and was part of many book groups during her life. She read out loud in the car when the family would go on trips and loved to take the grandkids shopping for a book on their birthdays. She also loved to travel and liked to tell people she had been to 17 countries. A favorite trip was when she celebrated her 50th anniversary on a cruise with her husband, children and grandchildren. 

  A life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kathy had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and remained faithful despite physical and mental health challenges. She loved to study the scriptures and listen to the hymns. She served in many callings during her life, including an ordinance worker in the Bountiful Temple. In 2014 she and Clark were called to serve a mission to St. Petersburg, Russia. She was able to work in the office and work with the missionaries for a short time before health challenges forced her to return home early. Despite these challenges, she remained positive and friendly and greeted friends, family, and healthcare givers with enthusiasm and compliments.

  Kathy is survived by her children: Tony and Kristin Smith of Hooper, Utah; Greg and Kristin Smith of West Point, Utah; Mike and Chandra Streadbeck of Kaysville, Utah; Paul and Wendy Orme of West Point, Utah; and Alicia Holmes of Kaysville, Utah. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 12 grandchildren adopted through marriage, and 17 great grandchildren. She is survived by three sisters: Annette McMillan of Roy, Utah; Anita Fisher of Vacaville, California; and Geniel (Larry) Childs of Provo, Utah. She is preceded in death by her husband Clark, her parents, two sisters, Marilyn Jackman and Jan Parkin; and two sweet grandchildren, Daxton and Sarah Holmes.

  Funeral services will be held in the Deseret Chapel located at 925 Deseret Drive in Kaysville on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment to be held in the Kaysville City Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff and healthcare givers of The Abbington Senior Living facility in Layton for the excellent care and compassion shown Kathy. They would also like to thank Bristol Hospice and Amy Wood, who not only came in to bathe and care for our mom, but also brought her treats, friendship, and love. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Espere Community Counseling https://www.esperecounseling.org/donate or through Venmo: @EspereCounseling, a mental health service in Haiti founded by Kathy's niece, Erika Childs Charles.

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