Obituary: Ruth Passey Austin Smith

1921~2003

Ruth Smith passed away peacefully in her sleep December 3, 2003 at her daughter's home in Bountiful, Utah.

Ruth was born in Magrath, Alberta, Canada May 14, 1921, third of seven children born to William T. and Ruth Myrtle Norton Passey. She married John Wallace Austin in the Alberta Temple in Cardston, Alberta, November 16, 1938. Their union was filled with love and contentment and they were blessed with three children, whom they raised on a beautiful farm ten miles outside of Magrath. John died August 26, 1967, and shortly thereafter Ruth moved to Utah to pursue her education at Brigham Young University. She married Thomas E. Smith June 12, 1973 and had many good years with him until he died, February 23, 1992.

Ruth was also preceded in death by her parents, her sister LaDean Thomson, son Bill Austin, daughter-in-law Paullette Austin, and great-grand daughters Beth and Amy Talbot.

She is survived by her brothers, Garth Passey, whose wife Jean has also passed away, Ronald (Jean) Passey, Glen (Carole) Passey, and Mark (Maria) Passey, her sister Arlene (Dale) Lowry, her daughter Meredith (Benjamin) Martinez, her son John E. (Jane) Austin, eight grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Ruth was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully in many callings. She was especially grateful for her opportunities to do family history research, and to be a Relief Society teacher, a missionary, and a temple worker. Reading good books and listening to great music were also an important part of her life.

She loved her family with all her heart and received great fulfillment from her association with them. Some of her happiest moments in recent years have involved getting visits and hugs from all those who felt so much love for their Grandma Ruth.

Funeral services will be Monday, December 8, at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Garden Place Chapel, Magrath Second Ward, Magrath, Alberta, Canada, with a viewing prior to the service, from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m.

Interment will be in the Magrath Cemetery under the direction of Christensen Salmon Funeral Home.