Frances Smollack

Frances Alice Smollack, 100 years, 6 months, and one day old (she would have considered herself 101) passed into eternity peacefully in her sleep at Peace Hospice of natural causes on June 11, 2015. Rosary will be held on Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at O’Connor Memorial Chapel. Funeral liturgy will be held on Friday, June 10, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Centerville. Arrangements will take place under the direction of O’Connor Funeral Home. Frances was known for her “halves” she would only eat or drink half of whatever was being served. Even her age became the next year up as soon as the 6th month and first day since her last birthday passed. She did this for as long as her family can remember. Frances was born on November 10, 1914 in Anaconda, Montana and was raised there. She attended St. Peter’s Catholic School. When the Great Depression hit she lived in a mine in Pony, MT with her sister and then at a ranch at Gregson. Her adolescent years were very difficult as she struggled through the Depression. Frances married Michael Smollack in 1936. He died of cancer in 1940. In 1942 she married Joseph Smollack. They had one child and lived in Anaconda and Fontana, CA until 1957. She then returned to Montana and worked at Galen State Hospital for 7 years. She moved to Brigham City, UT and went to nursing school at the age of 50. She graduated with honors and worked at St. James hospital in Butte until retirement. She moved to Great Falls in 1988 to be near family and worked with the Foster Grandparents program for 11 years where she touched the lives of many young children and made many great friends. Due to hearing loss and macular degeneration she was forced to end her second “career” at age 90. Her proudest family moments were the births of her grandchildren, successes of grandchildren’s achievements, and the love and closeness she shared with her first great-grandson. The things in life that brought Frances joy were caregiving (she was a natural as well as being greatly skilled) gardening, cooking (especially for picnics and family get together), making povitica (even by herself which is extremely difficult) to give as gifts for the holidays, reading the obits, and worshipping in the Catholic church. She was a very devout Christian and even considered being a nun in adolescence. Her strong faith and adaptability got her though a lot of hard times as well as her great sense of humor. Frances was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Beausoleil in 1930 and Lizzy Seba Beausoleil in 1931, first husband Michael Smollack; second husband Joseph Smollack; infant son Raymond; sisters Viola Peterson, Nadine Geary, Blanche Haptinstall, and Eva Geary; brother Walter Beausoliel; daughter Mary Lou Striefel, and numerous friends and other relatives. Frances is survived by her son-in-law Leo Streifel, grandchildren Janet (Dewayne “Buddy”) Bratcher, Stephen (Melanie) Streifel, and Theresa (Michael) Tolle; great-grandsons Anthony (Blair) Streifel and Logan Streifel; two great-great-grandsons Kai and Talon Streifel. Many people have already sent their condolences and ordered masses for Frances. Her family is very grateful but there is no need to do it again. Just come if you can to honor her well-lived life and enjoy the company of those she has left behind. Memorials are suggested to either the Foster Grandparents Program or Peace Hospice of Great Falls. Francis’s family wishes to express our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Gordon and all the wonderful staff and volunteers at Peace Hospice for making her last days good ones! May God richly bless you all.