SMITH, Hilda

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, AZ Thursday, February 10, 2011 Hilda H. Smith, 90, died Monday, Feb. 7, 2011, in Flagstaff. Mrs. Smith was born March 6, 1920, into the Red House Clan and born for the Bitter Water Clan in Black Mountain. She was employed as a cook for the Bureau of Indian Affairs day schools in Cottonwood and Chinle Boarding School in Many Farms for 31 years. She was skilled in home arts, such as sewing, cooking, gardening, farming, and teaching these skills. She helped raise many nieces and nephews so they could attend school. Education was always very important to her. She was the vital statistics registrar for many years. Mrs. Smith was very interested in local and national politics and was an avid sports fan of the University of Arizona Wildcats and the Chinle Wildcats, following the teams to all their competitions. She was the first to receive an honorary letter "C" from the Chinle Public Schools Athletic Department. Mrs. Smith is survived by three children, Shirley (Glenn) Stoner of Flagstaff, Gloria (James) King of Tucson and Terry (Norrine) Smith of Portland, Ore.; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; sisters Rose Begay, Ella Begay and Linda Coolong; and brothers Ned Todechine, Yazzie Todechine, Francis Lee Todechine and Kee Raymond Todechine. She was preceded in death by husband Howard Smith; daughter Genevieve Smith; one granddaughter; one grandson; parents Todechine and Dorothy Yellowhair; and four brothers. Pallbearers will be Glenn Stoner II, Rudi Gallegos, Nathaniel Natonabah, Edwin Todechine, Patrick Laughin and Radford Lee. Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Smith, Thomas Attson, Glenn E. Stoner, Nathan Natonabah, Darrick Laughin, Wayne Claw, Nelson Claw, Tsosie Brown, Herman Silver and Gerald Jeffery. Rosary will be recited today at 7 p.m. at Norvel Owens Mortuary, 914 E. Route 66, in Flagstaff. Funeral services will be Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 2257 E. Cedar Ave., in Flagstaff. Viewing will be at 9 a.m. The very Reverend Patrick Mowrer will officiate. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. The reception will follow at St. Pius Catholic Hall. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.norvelowens mortuary.com. Norvel Owens Mortuary is handling arrangements.