June Gilchrist

– June Violet Harding Smith Gilchrist passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2017, of natural causes at Village Health Care, where she had been a resident for four years.

June was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, the oldest of four. Her home life was filled with laughter, music and dancing, and her love of dancing remained with her for life and played a significant role throughout. During WWII, while dancing at a USO Buddies' Club in Boston, she fell head over heels for Elvin Smith, who was on leave from the Coast Guard. Six weeks later they were married, and after the war settled in Auburn, Washington. From this union came six children – one girl and then five boys!

Due to June's lifelong asthma and hay fever, after several trips to the mountains of Montana, the family relocated to Missoula for her health in 1958.

June was divorced in 1977 and met the love of her life also on a dance floor. Ed Gilchrist and June were married in 1979 and celebrated living life every day until her death. They went camping with their children and grandchildren; traveled through the state while Ed played cowboy polo where they made lifelong friends with his and other teams; traveled the country for conventions with Ed's banking career, resulting in travels with the close friends created from this. June and Ed took a train ride to Boston to tour her old stomping grounds and see members of her family who remained in that area. June loved to see places and interact with people; she never met someone she didn't like or didn't have something in common with them. She always had a heart of hospitality.

And oh, how she loved music! She was an accomplished pianist and would entertain the other residents at The Village with her piano playing. She knew the words to hundreds of songs, had a natural ear and could harmonize. We know that right now the choir of heaven and the orchestra are both vying for her participation.

June was especially proud of her children, their accomplishments, and the fact that they all love the Lord. She is grieved and will be missed by her husband of 38 years, Ed Gilchrist, Missoula; daughter Carolyn (Dave) Glidewell, Lolo; sons Buck (Julie) Smith, Missoula; Rob Smith, Missoula; Doug (Joanne) Smith, Missoula; George (Mary) Smith, Ritzville, Washington; Russ (Traci) Smith, Surprise, Arizona; her step-children, Mark Gilchrist and Jim Gilchrist, and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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Writing a deserving obituary for one who has contributed so much to this world is impossible. But she helped us by writing the following words herself: "My reason for writing this account is to leave a record that I existed in this life for a time and I hope I accomplished something for my family, for others and for God. I am daughter/sister/wife/mother/grandmother/great-grandmother/aunt/cousin/Nan/Nana/Nanny, too, as well as step-mother. SOME of everything, but not the SUM of my life. Only God knows what that is. I love you more than words can tell. God bless you all, beloved ones, and may we meet in Heaven."

Viewing will be at Garden City Funeral Home on Thursday, April 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. and continue Friday morning until 10:30 a.m. The service will be at 11 a.m. at Garden City on Friday, April 7, followed by a reception. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Cemetery.

Those planning on attending her services are encouraged to wear her favorite color of red in her memory. She would not have us be sad but celebrate the day in her honor. Friends can send condolences for the family to gardencityfh.com.