Frances Maxine Smith

Frances Maxine McRae Smith, 91, of Wellington, died June 21, 2010 at her home. Fran was the daughter of Elva and Archie McRae. She was the fourth of eight children. She was born February 3, 1919 in Ft. Collins at home, after a difficult birth she surprised all by proving the fates wrong by living a full and colorful life of 91 years. She married R.E. Gene Smith on her birthday in 1943. She lived in Chula Vista, CA while Gene served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. While she waited for his return from the Pacific conflict, she worked as a "Rosie the Riveter" making bomber doors at McDonald-Douglas Aircraft Co. for the P-29 Bombers. Before and after returning home to Colorado she was employed as a telephone operator at Mountain Bell in Fort Collins for several years. In 1952 they moved to Wellington and began a dairy farm until 1966, where they raised three children, son, Ollie; and daughters, Colleen and Shannon. After her divorce from Gene in 1977, she worked various jobs in the Wellington area, Harrison's Mirror Factory, Till Taylor's Casket's where she sewed materials for the caskets, and the Duke of Wellington, aka T-Bar Inn as a bartender. This was her favorite and most enjoyed employment due to meeting many, many people that became and remained her long time friends. Her last years were spent on the farm property outside of Wellington and it was all about her great-grandchildren. She loved for them to visit her often and she spoke of them in most conversations, Austin, Sydney and Emma; Cody, Colton and Shay; "The Twins" Kali and Mikala, and Logan; grandchildren, Kenny Pettit Ken Nicholson, Everitt Pettit Erika, Eric Pettit, Jon James Nancy, and Kelly Bussell Jason; also her 10 nieces and nephews with all of their children; her brother, Archie "Don" McRae; and sisters, Shirley DeSaultels and Doris Case. Preceding her in death were her parents; beloved daughter, Shannon; sisters, Evelyn Lindsley, Eleanor Hammond and Mildred Brown; also a brother, Gilbert McRae. Grandma, called lovingly by all her family and the Wellington community was the matriarch of our family and will be missed for many, many years to come. The family would like to thank all of her many family members and many friends who made her final months comfortable, also to Dr. Janice Weixelman and Associates, all the health care workers and the facilities that gave her loving care during her most recent illnesses and injuries. A very special thank you to the Wellington Fire Department and Emergency Response Team for all the years they have helped the family. A Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. at Grandview Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the Wellington Fire Department Membership in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, Colorado 80524