June Russell Smart

June Russell Smart was born June 24, 1923 in the small town of Marion, UT, which is nestled against the mountains between the towns of Oakley and Kamas in Summit County.  June was the third child of Charles Lyman and Vera Gibbons Russell.  She passed away July 23, 2020 surrounded by her children at her residence in Summit Senior Living, Kearns, UT.

June's childhood days were filled with happy times and the fun experienced only by those privileged to grow up on a farm surrounded by a large loving family, including aunts and uncles.  When she was ten years old, the family moved to Butlerville, in Salt Lake County.  She attended elementary, junior high, and graduated from Jordan High School in 1941. She met her sweetheart, Leon Milton Smart, in high school.  Their dating years were filled with fun, roller skating, dancing, and socializing with friends. The fun continued through 63 years of marriage!  June and Leon were married October 26, 1942 in the Salt Lake Temple. Leon was in the Army during WWII so June was a soldier’s wife, living in Pomona, California for a while. After the Army, they lived in Magna, UT while they built their lifelong home in Hunter UT, where they raised 6 children. They enjoyed life fully together, dancing, socializing, and traveling as well as sharing a love of the Utah Jazz. June almost never missed watching a game. After Leon retired from Kennecott, they would spend the winters in Yuma, Arizona.  Together they served as tour guide missionaries at the Jordan River Temple. June’s sweetheart passed away on his 83^rd birthday February 28, 2006.

June loved the gospel.  She had a strong testimony and cherished the scriptures. She was always willing to share her testimony with others and was a great example of her faith and values. She was a faithful member of The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many callings. June was a role model to many young women while serving in the Young Women organization. She loved the young people! She was a part of the Young Women organization for many years serving as a teacher,  Ward YW President and Stake YW President. June was a member of the original planning committee developing the girls’ Camp Oakcrest, where she spent many hours at the camp, cleaning, interviewing staff, and making curtains for the cabins.

After her years working with the youth, June was called to serve in the Relief Society, helping to teach and support the women and families of her ward.  She served as the RS President on a Ward and Stake level. For eight years she served as a hostess in the Church Relief Society Building on Temple Square.

June was involved in the community as well, working in the PTA, and serving as PTA President of Whittier Elementary and Cyprus High school. She was a proud, active member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

Even though June spent many hours in service to others,  her priority was family. She loved being a wife, mother, and homemaker. She was an accomplished seamstress, keeping her four daughters fashionably dressed and providing extra income by sewing custom orders for others. Her other talents included knitting, crocheting, embroidery, tatting, and quilting just to mention a few.  She baked the most delicious pies, rolls, and bread.

June’s family was her world. She would often express how grateful she was to have children that loved and respected each other and got along so well. She taught us love. June will be remembered by her family and friends as a fun, happy person always willing to participate in activities. All of the grandchildren, great-grand children, and even the little children of her beloved ward would affectionately call her Grandma June, and she loved it!  Each one of them has special stories about their Grandma June; she had a way of making everybody feel special.

A thank you to all the ward members that she loved so dearly. Even though she moved from her home to Summit Living Center, they would visit often and take her to ward parties and special meetings. They have been truly compassionate.

Mom’s last days were filled with love and laughter as we were able to gather around her and reminisce about growing up in the Smart family.  We have been blessed to be raised in such a loving home, and to have Mom’s support throughout our lives.

We’d like to express our love to the wonderful caring staff of Summit Senior Living.  Mom loved the people there. She loved her little apartment and the fun activities. Thank you to the excellent caregivers and especially Renate and Alexis - they are amazing people. During the months of COVID isolation they have been our lifeline to our mom. Gratitude to Wendy from Inspiration Hospice; she helped the family throughout the final days. She’s an angel.

June was preceded in death by her loving husband Leon;  son-in-law Kent Evans; grandsons  Christopher Kent Evans, Troy Brent Smart; brothers Austin Russell, Raymond Russell; and sisters Ruth Hathaway, Iris Marchant.

She is survived by all 6 of her children, Brent Smart, Sydney and Kay Baldwin, Nancy Evans, Brenda and Ron Olsen, Scott and Sue Smart, Susan and David Cluff;  28 grand children; 78     great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; sisters Ina Bulygo, Charlyn Sorensen, Karma Bruin; and so many nieces and nephews.

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