Relda Jean (Fisher) Smith – December 12, 2019

June 2, 1923 – December 12, 2019

   Relda Jean Fisher was born on June 2, 1923, in Shippenville, Pennsylvania, to Elgar E. and Maude M. (nee Mong) Fisher.  Her childhood was spent there and in Emlenton, Pennsylvania.

   Jean had a busy life. She cleaned houses and babysat as a teen.  After graduating from high school in 1941 and leaving her childhood home, she moved to Erie, Pennsylvania, where she worked in the restaurant business, in an aircraft mechanics plant during World War II, and at a cast iron skillet factory.

   She married the love of her life, Robert Leslie Smith, on May 15, 1945, while he was in the United States Coast Guard. She gave birth to a daughter, Darlene, in October 1946. 

   After moving to Denver, Colorado, so that Robert could complete his Business and Masters degrees at Denver University, she worked for a luggage manufacturer.  She gave birth to a second daughter, Bobbie, in April 1953.

   After Robert graduated, her family of four moved to Monte Vista, Colorado, for Robert’s job with the IRS.  While in Monte Vista, Jean worked selling Tupperware and as a dental assistant.  She had a son, Allen, in November 1959.

   Robert was transferred by the IRS to Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1965, where Jean sold make up and worked as a distributor for the make up company, taught pottery and embroidery classes, and sold a line of household and personal hygiene products.

   After Robert passed away in December 1988, Jean resided at the Medallion Retirement Community and then at Vista Grande Brookdale Assisted Living.

   She was preceded in death by her parents; and her siblings: Ronald R. Fisher, Ruth E. Miller, E. Jackson Fisher, Wiley W. Fisher, and Janet F. Fisher.

   She is survived by her sister, Gertrude JoAnn Shaner of Denver; daughters: Darlene Hewitt (Ward), Bobbie Freese (Chuck); son, Allen Smith; grandchildren: Tyler and Beth Hewitt, Rhana and Guthrie Zuehlke, Gregg and Robin Freese, Geoff Freese, Olivia Smith, and Sydney Smith; and great-grandchildren: Lawson Hewitt, Kaia Hewitt, Dante Zuehlke, Emma Freese, Levi Stutzman, Ryley Clark-Smith, Summer Dooher, and Everly Hayes; and all of her nieces and nephews.

   A visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd.  Entombment will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at Shrine of Remembrance Mausoleum, Alcove of Faith.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Salvation Army, Give.SalvationArmyUSA.org.