Barbara (Bonham) Smith

Barbara Bonham Smith, age 94, passed away on May 14, 2024, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was born on May 31, 1929, in Ogden, Utah. Her children and grandchildren felt the continuous strength of her love and will greatly miss her spirit of gratitude and fun.

She was the daughter of Rhoda Walker Bonham and Albert Bonham. Barbara and her four siblings grew up enjoying family holiday gatherings in rural Utah. They had freedom to explore the open spaces surrounding Syracuse and Roy and experienced the benefits of a consistently faith-based life.

Barbara attended Granite High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, a time of life she thoroughly enjoyed. She had a close circle of friends, loved learning, engaged in school activities, and student body leadership. During her sophomore year, she met her brother Stan's friend, Douglas Smith, a senior. She never looked back.

Her buoyant years at Granite High unfolded against the larger backdrop of World War II. She often recounted memories of walking home from school and seeing blue or gold stars taped inside living room windows she passed along the way, each blue star representing a child serving in the United States military and each gold star representing a child killed in the line of duty. Many homes had more than one star. That reality became more than a symbol when Stan and Doug reported to duty with the U.S. Navy immediately after their high school graduation.

Shortly before Barbara's own graduation, two years later, the war ended and Doug returned. On September 17, 1947, they were married. This was a happy time, full of Doug's university studies and graduation, Barbara's work in the Tea Room at ZCMI, and the couple's purchase of their first small home near the University of Utah. Most importantly, they started their family. In 1955, the couple left Utah and accepted a position for Doug as a pharmacist at Walgreen's in Idaho Falls. They had found their permanent home.

Barbara and Doug carved out a simple, solid, but remarkable life. They were devoted to their six children, Kristine, Steven Douglas, Jill, Corey Bonham, Stanley Drew, and Andra Kay. They were also committed to making the great venture of opening Eastgate Drug a success. Underlying their strength and stamina was their dedication to the gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Barbara created an abundant life built on family, faith, and experiences shared with Doug, their children, and their grandchildren. After Doug's death in 2002, Barbara continued creating opportunities and adventures for her kids—all of them. Every member of Barbara's family knew they were priceless to her, as did her closest friends.

Barbara is survived by her six children, 23 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren, her brother Brent Bonham and sister Sharon Workman.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Stanley Bonham and David Bonham.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate Barbara's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the Idaho Falls 11th Ward Chapel, 1235 Juniper Avenue, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Friends are invited to visit from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service.