Doreen C. Smith

Doreen Coffin Smith, loving wife, mother, sister and grandmother, passed away peacefully December 3rd, at the age of 94, in her home surrounded by her family. Doreen was the queen of her home, a master homemaker, and a true matriarch when it came to keeping her family warm, safe, well fed and feeling loved. It was fitting that she was able to pass beyond this lifes veil in her bed, surrounded by those who cherished and adored her tiny but mighty stature. Doreen was born March 14th, 1926, to Leland and Emily Wakley Coffin at the robust weight of 4 lbs 11 oz. In lieu of a crib or bassinet, she was placed in a Buster Brown shoebox for several months and kept warm by being lightly toasted in the bread warmer of their wood burning oven. We feel this is where her love for fashion and desire to always have her home a few degrees warmer than usual may have stemmed from. During her childhood in Pocatello, she was usually seen looking clean and picture perfect. She rarely had a smudge on her dress or a hair out of place. The birth of her little sister, Lou, was one of her proudest moments and she adored looking after her sister. She took her job as a big sister very seriously and it sparked her passion of being a caregiver and desire to be a fantastic mother and housewife at a young age. Doreen attended Poky High School and was honored to be chosen as Christmas Princess and ran as a contestant for the Rodeo Queen her senior year, even though she was terrified of horses. She looked adorable in a cowboy hat and that prepared her for running a western clothing store with her husband for the majority of her adult life. She worked as a telegram and mailrunner for Union Pacific Railroad throughout most of high school. It was during this time that she earned the nickname "Tiny" as she would ride a large mens bicycle to do her deliveries. She had to mount up by standing on a box or tall curb. Everyone loved getting a delivery and a smile from Tiny. During WWII, she served her country by working as a Donut Dolly, where she served donuts & coffee and danced with the servicemen at the local airport. In 1946 she met a fellow named Guy Smith, a returned Navy veteran with sparkling blue eyes and wavy blonde hair on a blind date. During their 2nd date, he proposed and they were married weeks later. They had three daughters, Susie Smith, Shannon Toi and Teri Lyn to complete their family. Doreen answered the call of being a wife and mother like it was the reason she was born. She loved nothing more than to dote on her Guy and girls. She and Guy served as the PTA president together at Lewis & Clark Elementary School for several years. They also were standouts on the dance floor during their time as members of the Arthur Murray Dance Club. For over 43 years she helped Guy run Roys Western Wear in downtown Pocatello on Center St. She loved traveling with him to trade shows and would help him cook a free breakfast on opening hunting day every year for the local hunters at the store. If Doreen wasnt in her kitchen, she could be found out in her yard. Her green thumb was well known around town as she was a four time recipient of the Golden Arrow Award for her immaculate yard. She took immense pride in her flowers, garden and curb appeal. She also loved a good book, was an excellent baker and chef and made sure her grandchildren and great grandchildren were never disappointed by an empty cookie or candy jar. On their 67th wedding anniversary, Doreen and Guy were sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple. It was a day that her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will remember as one of the best days ever with her, as she danced, sang and laughed like she was a 20 year old blushing bride. Her smile and joy that day will be a favorite memory for everyone who was there. Being a grandma was a role Doreen thrived on. Her grandchildren loved to learn her cooking secrets, help her plant flowers, discuss books and recipes and measure their growth patterns against her towering height of 4 feet, 10 inches. A trip to grandmas house was not complete without a drink of her special tang, and no holiday meal was a celebration without her strawberry jam. She was our tiny grandma, but her love, sass, giggle and dance moves were larger than life. She was a blessing to everyone and shared a special bond with each one of her granddaughters and great grandchildren, somehow making each one feel like her favorite. Perhaps one of Gods sweetest tender mercies was that just one week before her passing, she was able to see and meet her first great, great-granddaughter, Avona Toi Armstrong. She is preceded in death by her parents, Leland and Emily Wakley Coffin and stepfather, Jake Empey. Also by her brother Glen Coffin and in-laws Guy H. Smith Sr. and Thelma and Ken Perdue and lastly by son in law Robert Rupp. She is survived by her loving husband of 74 years, Guy H. Smith Jr., sister Lou Jones Peterson, Step Brother Alfred (Kay) Empey, daughters: Susie (Robert) Rupp, Shannon (Gary) Merrill, and Teri Lyn Smith. Also by her grandchildren: Shantel (BJ) Stinger, Mecinna (Jared) Price, Jodi (Sean) McHugh, Cassia (William) Myers, Hailey (Kevin Fay) Merrill. Her 12 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild will love and miss her dearly but are so grateful to have been blessed with as much time with her as they were. Doreens life will be celebrated Friday, Dec 11th at 11:00 am during an intimate family ceremony at Colonial Funeral Home. A graveside dedication and laying to rest will take place afterwards at Mountain View Cemetery, 1520 S. 5th Ave. Pocatello, Idaho. To view a webcast of the services, click on the link http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/42348 - DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, THE WEBCAST WILL NOT BE LIVE BUT WILL BE UPLOADED HERE AFTER THE SERVICES. PLEASE ACCEPT OUR APOLOGIES. Mom, Grandma, we will never be able to tell you enough thank-yous, enough I love yous and enough we miss yous. But we are so thankful for the pure love you always shared, the true friendship you offered, and the sweet spirit that you left with us in our hearts. We are who we are because of you and we are a great family. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Solace for the tender loving care of our mother, wife and grandmother.

Graveside Service

12/11/2020 12:30



Mountain View Cemetery

1520 S. 5th Ave.

Pocatello

Idaho

83201



Private Services





Mountain View Cemetery

1520 S. 5th Ave.

Pocatello

Idaho

83201