Margaret Kane Smith

Margaret Kane Smith left this world the same way she did everything thing else: with gusto and determination. Her biggest mortal missions declared complete, she moved on to her next projects on the other side of the veil on June 15, 2026. It was simply the capstone on an intentional, thoughtful life.

Meg was born September 12,1969 in Albuquerque, NM. She live across the country in a dozen moves before graduating high school early. Her fierce intelligence served her through her life.

Margaret attained her BS in International Studies from Brigham Young University in 1991. While studying there, she met and married her sweetheart and husband Doran Smith. She planned to be the breadwinner, until they started having kids and she decided she needed to be home instead. This pattern of prioritizing selfless service showed endlessly through her life.

Meg's service permeated everything, in big and small ways. Sometimes it was simply holding your hand in a moment of trial, or a sweet, knowing smile that you were doing okay. Other times it was middle of the night visits, hours of discussion to talk you off of the ledge, or weeks of work sewing wardrobes and wedding dresses or planning a senior trip.

She was always engaged, and discerning with her time so as to make the biggest possible impact while knowing her limits. When money was tight, she learned how to coupon and grow a thriving garden and would co-op her neighbors so everyone would have a bigger harvest. When children struggled in school, she pulled them out and home schooled them, once helping a child to jump 4 reading grades in a single year. No minute went to waste when she could be making a baby blanket for a new mother.

Margaret was endlessly involved in her community, from PTA to city councils, and getting involved with the local political parties. She constantly spread awareness and cast her discerning eye across the candidates and issues at a local level, without ignoring what was going on with the world at large. She stayed abreast of the current events, and paid close attention to changes across every landscape she could observe. And the landscapes were many.

Meg was known for her traveling. Everyone loved to travel with her, because she planned stops curated to her companions, and always knew the relevant details. Traveling to Florida? This cemetery in OK along the way has Great Great Grandpa buried in the north west corner. And don't miss the aquarium that has your favorite jellyfish while you're in Orlando. Birthday lunches and girls trips with her mom and sisters were a Margaret specialty, even more amazing than her renowned cheesecakes and homemade bread.

She always made time for the individual. Margaret was exceptional at observing her surroundings, and reaching out where her touch could do good. If you ever anticipated a birthday card in the mail, it was hers. She made more meals for family, friends and neighbors than anyone could ever count, and knew more hospitals by virtue of in patient visitations than you could list.

Meg never wearied of doing good. She gave her all in any calling she held in her congregation. She served for years in the Primary, the Relief Society, and as a pianist. However, her favorite calling was ward family history specialist, where she could use her professional training to share with everyone the joy of connecting to their families and where they came from.

While much of her knowledge and expertise came from her Certified Genealogist professional designation, she never used her BCG certification as the goal, but a stepping stone. She was endlessly learning and specializing more to find her own family and relatives, as well as teaching and helping others to empower them to find their own kin.

While service is a hallmark of Margaret's life, she was ultimately a teacher, by enabling those around her to help themselves. When you asked her how to spell something, she'd tell you to get the dictionary. She loved teaching in the BYU Pathways program, and was actively preparing to begin teaching at conferences to cover overlooked niches where she had to learn the hard way.

Her teaching was so effective because she was a life long student herself. She never stopped learning. Margaret had an incredibly diverse set of skills, including painting, quilting, and fixing her cars with Doran's help. Additionally, she was a published author. Amazingly, all the things she set her mind to she did well. Her keen mind allowed her to research efficiently, analyse mistakes and failures quickly, and adapt as needed.

Perhaps Meg was able to pick up so many domains of capacity and understanding not exclusively because of her intelligence, but because through rain or shine, she smiled. She pursued joy. Even in the midst of trials, she would acknowledge the challenge and focus on what could make the situation better. She was careful not to sugarcoat reality while still encouraging herself and those around her. Everyone knew her grin and her laugh.

Margaret's happiness was a blessing in her own life, as well as those around her as she endlessly strove to emulate her Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus is her rock, and her testimony was her guide. She welcomed the Prodigal. She carefully set her light on the hill, not for her glory, but to lead others to Him. She was constantly on watch for the beam in her own eye, and worked to remove it. No matter what cultural shifts tried to wash over her, she always held firm to her values, sharing them with but never imposing them on others.

With so many amazing qualities and achievements in her life, it is so humbling to see how her family was the center of it all. Anyone who talked with Meg knew her husband and children before they even met them.

Margaret is survived by her husband Doran; her six children Eli (Delon), Finni (Jasper), Ana (Adam), Nicca, Ronan and Alexa; six grandchildren; parents Dennis and Kathy; and her three siblings Debbie (Jade), Julie (Matt), and Dave (McKell).

The funeral will be held Friday, June 26 at 11:00 AM, at 1469 W 700 S Syracuse, UT 84075. It will be preceded by a viewing at 9:00-10:45 AM. She will be buried at the Clinton City Cemetery afterwards.

We miss you, Oma, and are so happy you get to meet all those relatives that you learned so much about.