On Sunday evening, November 26, 2023, Sharon Kathleen “Kathy” (Detamore) Smith passed away after a brief illness. Born August 16, 1942, in Glendale, California, Kathy was one of three daughters of missionary-parents Aletha and Fordyce Detamore and spent five years of her childhood in China, Singapore, and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Hear about it in Kathy’s own words: https://youtu.be/jmOGFuHK1vM?si=DmgEmTD2682eNF6w Some years after the family returned to the United States, Kathy met and later began dating Ron Smith, a classmate at Takoma Academy in Maryland. They married in 1964, just before their last year at Southern Missionary College (now Southern Adventist University). Kathy graduated in 1965 with a degree in nursing, and the couple moved to Michigan so Ron could begin graduate studies in theology. They welcomed a son while in Michigan then moved to Florida to begin Ron’s work as a minister. During their 10 years in Florida, they added two daughters to the family. After moving to Oregon in 1976, Kathy worked as a nurse in the local Adventist hospital, various doctors’ offices and a nursing home. She and Ron welcomed their fourth child, another son, in 1978. As her own children grew up, Kathy cared for foster infants and toddlers for Adventist Adoption—perhaps her favorite job of all. For a few years, Kathy, Ron and their youngest lived and worked in Maryland, but the Pacific Northwest was home and they returned to their house in Boring, Oregon. Kathy worked as a night nurse in a residential care facility before switching gears and working for the North Pacific Union Conference treasury department until she retired. Kathy’s children remember her as a wonderful cook. Dinners were always something to look forward to—especially after church on Sabbath. She loved the beach and nature in general, a love she instilled in all her children. She also gifted her keen wit and humor to her kids. The family spent many hours laughing until the tears flowed. She treasured family gatherings and put her whole self into celebrating holidays. She had a gentle and compassionate heart for babies, children, and pets and always empathized with those in need. Kathy is survived by her husband, Ronald “Ron” Smith; children, Daryl Smith; Darlene “Dharma” Wease and her children: Forest, Autumn, Waverly, Savannah, Emmaline, and Reef; Laurel Rogers and her husband, Tony, and their children: Rylie, Caeden, and Emery; Lauren Smith and his wife, Christine (Foss), and children: Arthur and Penelope; great-grandchildren (Autumn’s children) Ayla and Casper; sister-in-law Sherry (Smith) Cleveland; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents Aletha (Stout) and Fordyce Detamore; sisters and brothers-in-law Gwen and Chuck Wiser and Arlene and Homer Dever; her parents-in-law Mildred (Gibson) and Leland Smith; her brother- and sister-in-law Jim and Rena Smith; and brother-in-law Sydney Cleveland. Memorial donations can be made to the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. https://www.crystalspringsgardenpdx.org/donate