Jean Hardy McAffee Obituary (1927

Our dear mother, Jean H. McAffee, age 91, passed away peacefully on June 28th, 2018 in Lindon, Utah surrounded by family. Rea Jean Hardy was born February 16, 1927, in Blackfoot, Idaho. Her parents are Ruben Bickmore Hardy and Katie Margaret Forsburg. Her parents and older brother, Calvin, welcomed her home where they lived in a little one room house on the railroad land by the tracks. The family struggled through the Great Depression. Her father worked hard to provide for the family. When Jean was two years old a sister, Merna Nan, was born. While living in the Blackfoot area, Jean caught Scarlet Fever and was very sick, but her life was spared. When Jean was 6 years old, her mother was not well, and died October 10, 1933 from heart failure, leaving Ruben to care for 3 small children. The family eventually moved to Leslie, Idaho in the Lost River Valley. There, in a one room classroom, Jean began her schooling. She spent her teenage years in Moore, Idaho and graduated in 1947. She worked a year and then attended Ricks College. Jean participated in several sports and graduated with a degree in Bookkeeping. She ran a diner in Moore, Idaho. At a dance, she met Earl Kenneth Smith of Darlington, Idaho. They fell in love and were married August 14, 1949. They moved to Alder Creek Ranch where they raised hogs, sheep, cows, and horses along with potatoes hay and grain. Earl & Jean ran a thriving ranch and farm until Earl and Ruben were killed in a tragic train/truck accident in 1958. Jean was left with 4 young children, under the age of 8, which she raised as a devoted full-time mother. Even with this tragedy she was able to live a colorful and fulfilling life. She also opened a ceramic shop, which she ran for many years. Jean enjoyed quilting, crafts, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jean volunteered her time creating more than 1000 quilts, afghans and rugs for social services, women’s shelters, earthquake victims, and grateful relatives and friends. She was an active member of the LDS church and held various positions of service during her life time. She barely missed her goal of indexing one million names with more than 900,000 genealogical entries. She has touched the lives of her family and countless others with her generosity and love. Jean was lucky enough to find a bonus love in her life. In 1981 she married Jack Louis McAffee, after over 20 years of being single. They spent 12 happy years working together on Jack’s Darlington Far, before Jack died in 1993. For the last fourteen years she has been living with her daughter and her family in Payson, Utah. Jean was preceded in death by her mother, Katie Forsburg , husband Earl K. Smith, father Ruben B. Hardy, Merna Reeser (sister), Calvin Hardy (brother), Jack L. McAffee (husband), Sterling McAffee (step-son) and Jonah Welch (great-grandson). Jean is survived by her children; Brian Smith (Patty), Stan Smith, Leah Patton (Tom), Roy Smith (Kim). Jean’s step children; Shari McAffee, Sandra McAffee, Lyniss France (Glenn), Marlene Stewart (Wayne), and many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 7, 2018 at the Berg Drawing Room Chapel, 185 East Center Street, Provo, Utah. Friends may call from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Idaho Funeral will be at the Anderson Funeral Home - 2555 N. Hwy 93 on Friday, July 13, 2018. Viewing is at 9:30 a.m. with Funeral at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at the Mt. McCaleb Cemetery in Mackay, Idaho later that day. Jean went from loving arms here, to loving arms beyond.