Shelia Catherine Smith, Cathy, was born in Golden, CO on September 12, 1940 to Roy and Eileen Claar. She was raised in Golden and was a life guard at the Golden pool. She graduated Golden High School in 1958. Cathy attended Colorado Teachers College, now UNC in Greeley, CO where she was a member of the synchronized swim team. She attended Texas Tech in Lubbock, TX and graduated from Western State University in Gunnison, CO in 1964 with a degree in physical education. Cathy taught physical education in Minturn, CO, started a physical education program in Redcliff, CO and taught Physical Education at Scott Carpenter Junior High School in Adams County. Then, she went to work for the United States Army as a G-6 in recreation at Fort Debussy, MA and Fort Leonard Wood, MO where she met and married George Smith. They were then stationed in Hawaii before returning to Golden. They were married 54 years.

Cathy was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Golden where she taught Sunday School and, with George, was a Youth Group Leader. She was a model of Christianity who loved unconditionally and was generous with her time, her attention, and resources. She championed the underdog and nurtured the poor, the lonely and those who were less fortunate than she. Cathy loved animals, especially dogs. She loved just about any sport and coached Roy's soccer team. She loved musicals and Westerns and of course, Elvis Presley. She loved to sing hymns, play bridge, collect dolls, sew, craft and paint. She had a ridiculous number of cookbooks and routinely tried new recipes. She was a great cook. She did a lot of baking and canning too. Really, about the only thing she didn't do well, was drive (and maybe that one weird onion casserole).

Cathy was a Camp Fire Girls leader who loved to take her group of girls (and tagalong little brothers) camping and rafting. Like at home, during those trips Cathy tried all kinds of new recipes, bread on a stick, cupcakes in orange peels, bacon and eggs in a paper bag (not as successful as some) and many more. Cathy's family was her pride and joy. That, and her love for sports, frequently had her at the ball field or the gym to be the number one fan for her children and her grandchildren. Her best days were those spent with her family. She loved her family and she knew that she was loved.

Shelia Catherine Smith died in Greeley, CO on June 2, 2020. She is survived by her husband, George; daughter, Alesha; son, Roy; granddaughters Claire and Brooklyn; grandson, Cooper; sister, Debbie (and David); two nephews, a niece, her 98 year-old aunt, Norma Basey and many loving cousins.