Margaret Smoot

Margaret Walsh Holmer Smoot

1916-2014

Our wonderful, amazing mom, grandma and aunt passed away at home with her family beside her on August 21, 2014.  Margaret was born in England to Herbert and Pauline Walsh on June 1, 1916 and lived a most remarkable life.  As a young woman, she became a Princess Christian Nurse, then served in the Air Force during WWII as a map clerk to the famous Dam Busters.  She lost 2 fiancés, Roy and Geoff, to the war.  Following WWII she immigrated with her parents, first to Canada, then to Santa Barbara, CA.  She married Verner Holmer in 1952, moved to Santa Paula, CA and gave birth to their daughter Maren two years later.  Verner passed away in 1973 after a long illness. Margaret moved back to Santa Barbara to care for her parents and became the Public Relations Director for Girl Scouts.  She started the first Alzheimer’s Association in the area to help others dealing with the difficulties she had faced while caring for Verner.  Margaret married Dan Smoot in 1979.  They moved to Oakhurst, CA, near Yosemite, where they lived for the next 19 years.  Following Dan’s death, Margaret moved to Utah to be near Maren and her family.  Margaret was a great conversationalist, fabulous storyteller and a great organizer.  She spent much of her life doing charity work for Children’s Home Society, Girl Scouts and the various Episcopal churches where she lived.  She loved animals, dancing, reading and classical music.  Margaret had friends of all ages; she was timeless.  She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Maren and Ron Petersen, grandson, Greg Petersen, stepchildren Marla Dickerson, Mark Smoot and their families, along with nieces, nephews and their families.  She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Stephanie.  Services are planned for Saturday, September 20, 2014, 11:30 am at St. James Episcopal Church, 7486 Union Park Avenue, Midvale, Utah 84047 followed by a reception to celebrate Margaret’s life.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Small Cell Ovarian Cancer Foundation. Online condolences www.cannonmortuary.com.