Josephine Smith

Josephine Amelia Garavaglia Smith died at her Salt Lake City residence on November 7, 2012. From the time she entered nursing training with the Sisters of the Holy Cross where students were called by their last names, she was known to all simply as Gary.

Gary was born July 15, 1917 in Heiner, Utah a�" one of the earliest coal camps in Carbon County a�" to Italian immigrants George Garavaglia and Maria Cappelletti. In 2007, Gary was thrilled to visit Ellis Island and find the records of her parents' arrival to the United States.

After graduating from the Holy Cross School of Nursing in 1939 and qualifying as an RN, Gary moved to Reno, Nevada where she was Chief Surgical Nurse at the Washoe General Hospital in Washoe County. She returned to Utah in 1941 to work at the Summit County Hospital in Coalville. At the Summit County Hospital she was the Superintendent for six years, and served as laboratory technician as well as nurse. As a result of her work at the hospital she was called to be a member of the Utah Professional Board when that board was organized.

On July 18, 1941 Gary married Weldon Verron Smith in Park City, Utah. Weldon and Gary raised their family in Coalville where they also had a successful mink ranch.

Gary's life was devoted to serving her community. As well as nursing and applying her keen diagnostic skill and competent care through her formal employment, Gary volunteered to head up the Summit County Chapter of the American Red Cross for more than 20 years. For the Red Cross she worked tirelessly on funding campaigns and made personal calls to maintain the blood bank, earning lifetime Red Cross RN status. In the mid 1950's it was Gary who recognized the need for an active public health clinic, so she helped organize the North Summit Health Council. As the council's president and coordinator Gary spearheaded an immunization program and children's clinic and established record keeping protocols for county pre-schoolers. During the Cold War, Gary traveled throughout the county implementing Civil Defense programs and educating citizens on emergency preparedness.

In 1969, Gary was recognized for her service by the Utah Federation of Business and Professional Women, and in 1989 she was the recipient of the Utah Lion's Club Foundation Humanitarian Award. In addition to her formal service, Gary was always willing to help a�" her neighbors, friends and family knew that whenever there was need, Gary would pitch in with a glad heart. Gary had a great interest in painting. Many priceless pieces adorn the homes of friends and family.

Gary was preceded in death by her husband, an infant son, sisters Antoinette Garavaglia and Jennie Garavaglia Hurska, and a brother Vincent Garavaglia. She is survived by daughters Sydney Ann Smith-Kee (Gordon Kee) Sherman Oaks, CA, Mary Denise Smith (Karl Hodges) SLC, Utah, Jenefer Ann Smith (Vern Sanders) Coalville, Utah, a granddaughter Elizabeth Jasmine Kee, San Francisco, CA, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Friends and family are invited to a funeral Mass which will be said for Gary on Monday, November 12, 2012 at 11:00 am at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 1505 West White Pine Canyon Road, Park City, Utah. Friends and family are also invited to call on Sunday, November 11, 2012 at Walker Mortuary, 268 South Main, Coalville, Utah from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Interment will be at the Coalville Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the friends who have stepped forward to help and the staff at the Emeritus Assisted Living Center. In lieu of a floral tributes, the family request donations to the American Red Cross, 555 East 300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84102 or to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah 84741.

Send condolences to the family at www.walker-mortuary.com