Joyce N. Smith

Joyce N. Smith passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in her sleep Feb. 17, 2013 at the age of 77.

She was born in Cashmere, Wash. to Edward and Esther Hoff on June 12, 1935. She grew up in Marlin, Wash. where she graduated in 1954. She then moved to Spokane where she attended Kinman Business College. After her dad passed away she moved back to Marlin.

She married Quentin (Smitty) Smith on Aug. 6, 1956. They moved to Spokane and then to Medical Lake where they raised five children on a dairy farm. They then moved to Cheney to another dairy farm where her job was feeding the calves. They later moved to Mount Vernon, Wash. where they lived for 25 years before moving back to Cheney for the last seven years.

When she was young, Joyce wanted to learn to drive but after hitting the gas instead of the brake and going through a fence and breaking Smitty’s ribs, she decided it wasn’t for her. Smitty must not have been too upset, he married her two years later. Joyce loved playing the piano. She learned playing by ear and everyone enjoyed listening to her, especially her children.

Her favorite thing to do was to write in her journals every day. Joyce left behind many journals that her family would enjoy reading to help keep her memory alive. She loved talking on the phone for hours to family and friends. She also loved being with family with friends and spending as much time with them as possible.

Joyce is survived by her husband Smitty of 56 years, five children: Angela Splonski (Paul) of Tyler, Wash.; Ray Smith of Bellingham, Wash.; Melissa Smith of Mount Vernon; Mike Smith (Theresa) of Florence, Ariz. and Jeff Smith of Mount Vernon. She also leaves behind six grandchildren: Mandy Smith, Michael Cross, Shannon Cross, Rodney Splonski, Shannon Copeland and Shaun Copeland and five great-grandchildren. Her brothers Darrell and Edward Hoff, Jr. and grandson Shane Splonski preceded her in death. She will be so greatly missed.

A funeral service was held Saturday, Feb. 23, at Cheney Funeral Chapel. Online guest book at cheneyfuneral.com.