Ethel Lucile D. Smith, 89, Bennion, Utah’s Mother of the Year in 1962, died Friday of natural causes in Torrance, Calif., at the home of her son, Dr. Thomas W. Smith.

Mrs. Smith was a church organist for more than 60 years, starting at the age of 10, and played as a soloist or accompanist in thousands of programs.

Valedictorian of her graduating class at Granite High School, where she was editor of the school newspaper, she studied music and English at the University of Utah and was an active member of the Parent Teacher Association for more than 30 years.

A busy public speaker and writer during much of her life, Mrs. Smith wrote articles for the Relief Society
Magazine, The Instructor and the National Retired Teachers Magazine and served as president of The Salt Lake Retired Teachers and the Utah Mother’s Association.

Mrs. Smith was chosen Salt Lake District Mother of the Year in March 1962 and in April of that year was chosen Utah’s Mother of the Year.

She had 13 children and lost four of them in accidents between 1925 and 1944.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Bennion 1st Ward Chapel, 6020 S. 13th West,
where friends may call beginning at noon. Burial will be in Salt Lake City Cemetery.