Sheila Smartt

Sheila Boetcher Smartt, 62, of Great Falls, a retired financial services consultant, died on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at a local hospital of cardio pulmonary arrest.A vigil will be held at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel, on Friday, February 15, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. Her funeral liturgy will be held at St. Josephs Chapel on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.Sheila was born November 3, 1950 to Doris and Norman Boetcher in Great Falls. She was an only child but found companionship with her horses and dogs that she loved. She and her parents would spend many hours riding horses; she was a member of the local 4H near her home. She spent many years showing her horses and barrel racing and won many ribbons throughout the years. Sheila attended grade school and middle school in Great Falls and graduated from Great Falls Central in 1969. She then attended Carol College and Montana State University. She proudly graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane. It was through Gonzaga that Sheila was able to do the Gonzaga in Florence program. She spent many months in Florence, studying and traveling and she fell in love with Italy. This experience is one that she cherished for the rest of her life and just recently, for her class reunion, was able to return to Italy in August of 2012. Sheila married her best friend, Mike Smartt in 1975 and began their life long adventure together. She and Mike lived in Spokane while he finished up his law degree. After Mike graduated from Gonzaga Law, they returned to Great Falls, as they were pregnant with their first child and they wanted to raise their family back where they both grew up. Once back in Great Falls, Sheila began working with her father at New York Life selling life insurance and annuities. They were a great team and continued working together for the rest of his life. Sheila worked for various insurance companies and ultimately began her own financial services business. Her dedication to her clients and the compassion she had for them made her successful and loved. Sheila loved to garden and produced one of the most beautiful gardens in Great Falls. Her property boasted many roses, begonias, peonies, lilys and many other flowers and plants. She also took pride in her vegetable garden and grew many delicious items that we all enjoyed. On her property, Sheila felt peace and was the most happiest.Sheila is survived by her daughters, Seanna Smartt (Kevin) Holden of Seattle, and Heather Smartt of Phoenix; a son, Michael (Andrea) Smartt II of Missoula. Sheila loved being married into a large family and considered all of Mikes brothers and sisters her siblings as well. Her in-laws include Scott & Kathy Smartt of Great Falls, Bob & Becky Eamon of Missoula; Rachel and Scott Prince of Lakewood, WA; Cyndi McDonald of Chapel Hill, NC; Mike McDonald of Colorado Springs, CO; and Gloria and Willis Curdy (cousins) of Missoula; and many more nieces, nephews, and cousins. Sheila was loved and adored by her seven grandchildren who referred to her as Grammie or She-She. She is now an angel to them with big beautiful wings. They are Madison Smartt; Aislyn & Caris Holden; Maliqui, Isaac & Jasmine Moore; and Colson Smartt (with another little one on the way). Sheila was known as an eternal optimist, always able to find the best side of any situation. Her kindness and compassion had no boundaries and was extended to friends and strangers alike. Her laughter, wisdom, and the warmth of her open arms will be greatly missed by all. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mike Smartt; along with her parents, Doris and Norman Boetcher.