Sharon Kay Smith

Dr. Sharon Kay Smith, 72, of Orem, Utah, passed away on March 7, 2026 surrounded by loved ones.

Sharon was born on June 17, 1953 in Munich, Germany to George Thomas Smith Jr and Patricia Jean Smith. Her father served in the US Air Force, which took the family to Germany, England, France, and ultimately to San Bernardino, CA where she graduated from Pacific High School in 1971. She completed a bachelor's degree at Cal State Fullerton and a master's and doctorate at Brigham Young University.

Sharon's lifelong study of the Holocaust was influenced by her father's experiences as a POW in Stalag 17 during World War II. In 1993, Sharon was selected by the National Endowment for the Humanities to study the literature of the Holocaust. In 1996, she was selected to represent Utah as a Mandel Fellow to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC.

Throughout her life, Sharon was known for kindness, humor, and generosity. She enjoyed her career as a middle school science and history teacher at Orem Junior High and then as Assistant Principal, first at Canyon View Junior High and then at Timberline Middle School. She took pride in helping students navigate the middle school years. She retired in 2012.

Sharon enjoyed traveling, genealogy, and spending time with her nieces and nephews (Erin, Shannon, Amy, Alyson, and Kyle and grand niece Marissa, and grand nephews Mason and Maverick). She loved milkshakes, feeding seagulls at the beach, and saving the whales.

Sharon is also survived by her brothers George Smith (Patti) and David Smith (Katie), and her sister Tracy Smith Harding (Tom). She was preceded in death by her parents George and Patricia Smith.

Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 17, at 11:00 a.m. at the Timpview Stake Center, located at 1050 N 600 W, Orem, Utah. Viewings will be held on Monday, March 16, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and again on Tuesday, March 17, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the same location prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Best Friends Animal Society. The family would like to thank Sharon's friends, neighbors, and caregivers for their care and support.