Elma Smith Terry Obituary (1931 - 2010)

Elma "Bunny" Smith Terry passed away peacefully on December 2 at Mountain Ridge Assisted Living surrounded by her family. She was born in View, Idaho on August 2, 1931 to Elmer Allen Smith and Edrie McBride Smith. The family lived primarily in Klamath Falls, Oregon. She was named after her father, Elmer, who gave her the the nickname "Bunny" in her youth. Bunny married Howard at the age of twenty-two in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They became the parents of six children and raised their family in Roy. Howard and Bunny worked together to build their home over a six year period. They lived in the basement while Howard continued building upstairs. While her children lived at home, Bunny enjoyed family vacations including many camping trips. After her children were grown, she and Howard took many cruises and flew often to visit family. She was the ultimate homemaker. She was known for her sewing and baking skills, especially her Halloween donuts. Bunny and Howard served a twelve month LDS mission in Nebraska and Arizona. In later life, Bunny expressed that she had striven to accomplish three distinct goals: to have a marriage where both partners give at least ninety percent, to live according to her religious beliefs in order to set good examples for her children and grandchildren, and to stay out of debt. She accomplished all three. Her children are grateful that their parents lived the perfect love story. The several years prior to her death were made difficult by the onset of Alzheimer's disease, but she was largely cared for in her home by her loving husband, Howard, and her daughter, Sandy Underwood. Bunny's last year of life was greatly enhanced by the care she received while at Mountain Ridge Assisted Living and through Hospice of Utah and from the Skyline LDS Branch. She received the highest level of loving, attentive care. Her children were greatly comforted knowing that so many people were caring for her night and day, walking with her, holding her hand, holding her when she became sad, and helping her to feel beautiful by dressing her, painting her nails, and doing her hair. The Terry family would like to express their fondest gratitude. She is survived by her brother Max Smith of Chiloquin, Oregon and her five children, Cathy (Steve) Halen, Jim Terry, Anna (Frank) Rolapp, Sandra (Bill) Underwood, and Doug (Janae) Terry, twenty-four grandchildren, and fifteen great grandchildren. A viewing will be held Saturday, December 4 from 10:30 to 12:30 followed by a funeral at 1:00. All services will be at Myer's Mortuary located at 5865 S. 1900 W. in Roy. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (www.alzfnd.org). Interment in the Ogden City Cemetery. Send condolences to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com VisitationMyers Mortuary - Roy 5865 South 1900 West Roy, UT 84067 December 4, 2010 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM ServiceMyers Mortuary - Roy 5865 South 1900 West Roy, UT 84067 December 4, 2010 1:00 PM CemeteryOgden City Cemetery 20th and Madison Ogden, UT 84404 December 4, 2010 2:30 PM