Evelyn "Henri" Smith

Evelyn M. "Henri" Smith "Henri" passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 19 at the amazing age of 91.Mom was born in Albion, Nebraska to Ira and Lyn Ellenwood on December 11, 1923. The family later moved to Central City, Nebraska. After graduating from high school, she made her way West on a troop train to join her sister-in-law in San Francisco to start a new life adventure. She wasn't there long before she met Army Sgt Nelson Smith at a Christmas party. This tall, lanky man with a wild sense of humor, became so enamored of this petite brunette from the Mid-West, that he proposed to her that same night and within 2 short months, they were married on February 29, 1944.After his discharge from the service, the couple made their home in Petaluma where Dad worked for the State of California before being appointed Postmaster in 1951.Mom joined the work force in 1956 as a teller for the First National Bank and eventually went on to become a bookkeeper for several real estate agencies. At the age of 85, she reluctantly retired from Cooper Rentals, where she had been employed for 35 years.In addition to raising a family and working full time, Mom was an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Ladies Auxiliary. She served as President of Petaluma Auxiliary 1929 several times and was 16th District President in 2000/2001. She took great pride in representing her Auxiliary and District at State functions and annual Memorial Day services. Henri was a proud member of the Petaluma United Methodist Church and enjoyed visiting with her "pew" mates on Sundays. She loved to travel and felt so fortunate to be able to go to Europe several times to be with her son's family while they were stationed in Germany. And, she loved being surprised by impromptu weekend adventures and taking trips out to the coast.Henri is survived by son, Nelson F. Smith Jr, of Montgomery, Alabama; daughter Lynda Smith of Petaluma; dear family friend whom Mom considered a second daughter, Kris Hermanson; grandson Guy Smith; granddaughter-in-law Quinn; great grandchildren; Naomi, Samuel and Violet, nieces Evelyn Randall of Portland, Oregon and Vicki Burrelli of Williams, Oregon and wonderful companion Don DeCosta. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the staff at Spring Lake Village for filling Mom's last days with care and compassion. A Memorial Service will be held at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory, 850 Keokuk St., Petaluma, CA. on Wednesday, March 25 at 2:00 pm with a reception to follow. Mom will be laid to rest at Cypress Hill Memorial Park next to her beloved Nelson. Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Petaluma Animal Shelter.