Madeline Gail Smith, 91, of Oakdale, died Thursday, March 13 following a hemorrhagic stroke at Alexander Cohen Hospice House, Hughson.
She was born in Hyder, Alaska to Philo and Mary Beaudreau. With an older brother Paul, and a younger brother Bobby, the family moved to Seattle when she was only two-and-a-half years old. With an absentee father, in the 1920s and Great Depression era, the children’s lives were hard and they even had to live for a year in a Catholic boarding house until their mother was able to support them.
Her schooling was in Seattle, Wash., Santa Monica, and also Ferndale, Wash. where she spent her junior year of high school living with family friends. Santa Monica was her home during the war. She worked at Douglas Aircraft during World War II and spent time swimming in the ocean and enjoying Venice and Santa Monica’s beaches.
Mrs. Smith loved to golf, especially with the Nifty Niners when they lived in Livermore. Other interests included extensive RV travels throughout the U.S., including Alaska and Canada. She was also an exceptional cook and housewife.
Her first love was for her family, her grandson Carson was her pride and joy for the last 20 years. She and her husband moved from Livermore to Oakdale 18 years ago to be near him.
The last several years, she suffered from Alzheimer’s; however that never did dim her love, kindness, sense of humor, or her beautiful demeanor and smile. She will be dearly missed and always loved. Her daughter, Gail, was her loving caregiver for the last eight years and she was so grateful, along with the rest of the family for the amazing care that Gail gave her.
She is survived by her husband of more than 45 years, Duane Smith of Oakdale; children, Gail Miller, Gary E. (Marian) Miller, and Glenn (Nicole) Miller, all of Oakdale; brothers, MGySgt. Paul C. Beaudreau, USMC (ret) of Orange, James (Liz) Lett of Anaheim; and grandchildren, Nicole Miller of New York, Carson Miller of Oakdale.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Bobby; and her previous husband of 15 years, Lt. Col. Robert E. Miller, USMC (ret).
Remembrances may be made in her name to Alexander Cohen Hospice House, c/o Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356.
Allen Mortuary in charge of arrangements.
