Angela Mary Smith
Angela Mary Smith, beloved mom, grandma, marloo, mah, and ammau, passed away Sept. 12, 2012 in Bethel. The span of her earthly being was 88 years, 6 months and 22 days. She was the first daughter born March 21, 1924, to Joseph and Cecelia Joseph Jr., in Alakanuk. She was raised in her village and community of Alakanuk, where she learned a strong work ethic, the value of a dollar, and how to gracefully live through hard times.
She won the eye of Joseph Smith when she was 19. She did not want to leave her father, as he was not in good health. Her father had told her that if she did not get married to him, he would give her to another old man to marry. She obediently consented and married him. They were married Aug. 8, 1942, in the St. Ignatius Parish in Alakanuk. Together, for more than 46 years, they experienced the changing scenes of life in their joyous and fruitful companionship, which the Lord had entrusted to them.
To her children she was called Mom for many years. As the grandchildren came along this changed to Grandma. She enjoyed being Grandma and was excited about each new arrival. She took great pride in her family. She had a special name for each new addition into the family and each new child felt special whenever she would say their name. She had a very good memory and would tell stories of what happened yesterday or 80 years ago.
She served as a member of the Alaska Territorial Guard during World War II on home base. She also worked for Point Adams Packing Company during its working years as a cook and also in the cannery. After her husband went “home”, she did her best in trying to be as independent as she could. She bought some building material and had a new “little house” built. In between staying with one of her children or grandchildren, she would be at her little house.
She loved listening to the radio, knitting, sewing, harvesting in each different season, reading, being with her family, and being in her little house. She served God, family, country, and church faithfully, cheerfully, and well. She was an exemplary and supportive wife, mother and grandmother.
She leaves her children, Theresa (Tessie) Cook and Martha and Timothy Sergie; her sibling Placide and Lucy Joseph, all of Alakanuk; 15 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren and 12 great great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; many great nieces and nephews. She joins her husband; sons, Clyde and Mary, Harry and Norman Smith; grandchildren, Sharon, Rae, and Joe Smith, Robert Cook, Carla and Joshua Sergie; great grandchildren, Joe and Galaxie Alstrom, Steve Lukudak; siblings, Thomas and Cecelia Chikigak, Camille and Sophie Joseph, Clement and Margaret Joseph, Joseph and Judith Joseph, Alice and John Hanson, Christine and Paul Phillip; her in-laws, Johnson and and Maggie Katchakoar, Anna Johanson, Barbara Waskey, Agatha Oktoyuk and Mr. Sheppard, Evan Hamilton, Sr., Willie and Catherine Moore; and other family members who are too many to name.
Thank you, Mom, for your wit and wisdom, an honored and honorable name, sacrificing so many things for us, sharing and living your beliefs, the lessons of life, teaching us the value of “being able to sleep when the wind blows,” your unconditional love, and your example of a contrite and humble life.