Loretta Hilda Smith
1916 - 2011
Loretta Hilda Smith, age 94, passed away Jan. 21 in Green Cove Springs, Fla. Loretta was born in Huson on May 24, 1916, to John and Clara Cyr.
The fourth of 14 siblings, her mother died when Loretta was six years old.
In her early years she was very athletic, an accomplished swimmer, and at 5'2" she was on the main team in basketball. She graduated from college in Spokane, Wash.
In 1939 she married Nels Eiden. They had two children, Eileen and William. In 1945, after Nels had served in the Navy during WWII, they moved to Dillon. In 1947 they divorced.
Loretta worked as a single mother, supporting her children. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader. She had many jobs, including waitressing, housekeeping, sorting peas at the seed house, chambermaid at the Andrus Hotel, secretary at the Dillon Tribune, rock sorter at Tri-State Minerals, and in 1955 she was appointed superintendent of schools. She belonged to the Teachers Agency.
Loretta was known for her pretty flowers on Kentucky Avenue, where she always saw that her neighbors had fresh bouquets.
She married Lee Smith in 1955. She was a breast cancer survivor for 52 years.
Lee and Loretta Smith moved to Tucson, Ariz., until 1981 when they returned to Dillon.
Her son William preceded her in death in 1976. Her husband died in 1999.
She then went to live with her daughter Eileen, and family, from that time on.
Loretta is survived by two younger sisters, Julia Albert and family, Anaconda, and Jeanne Salem and family, Auburn, Wash.; a younger brother, Francis Cyr and family, Florence. She also leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law, Eileen and David Nelson, Orange Park, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Nancy Holm and family, Missoula; Catherine Leaver and family, Deer Lodge; Sheila Harden and family, Dillon; Teresa Smith and family, Orange Park, Fla.; John Eiden and family, Billings; Wesley Eiden and family, Billings; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Harley and Helen Smith and family, Dillon; Dale and Gert Smith and family, Butte; Regina Stewart and family, Butte; Vi Junkert and family, Billings; Hazel Junkert and family, Billings; Robert Smith and family, Butte; Van and Mary Smith and family, Anaconda; Dee Smith and family, Dillon; Barbara Smith and family, Osborn, Ind.; numerous nieces and nephews.
Loretta will be missed greatly by her many friends and family.
A memorial service will be held in Montana in June or July.
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