WICHITA,   KANSAS  formerly of Goddard

BETTY  JEAN  (THACHER)  SMITH , was born to Safford Dietrich and Anne Pauline Thacher in Topeka, Kansas on October 11, 1918. She was the oldest of three children, having a sister, Phyllis and brother, Frank. As a child she was called Betty Jean or BJ but as she grew dropped the Betty and became Jean. She attended school in Topeka graduating from Topeka High and Washburn University with a teaching degree. During her school years, she met Gordon Roy Smith, who was the love of her life. She dated no other and they were married on September 14, 1940 in Topeka.

Gordon had enlisted in the U.S. Army which caused the young couple to move to various states living mostly on army posts. One of those was in California where they lived for several years and during which time where their children Gordon and Bobbi were born. There were a few more moves after that until they found themselves back in Topeka, Kansas where the adventure began. One final move after that brought them to Wichita where they stayed (except for a few brief years in Denver, Co.).

While raising her children Jean had many other interests. Music was always a passion and she was active in the church choir and playing the piano both at church and in a group that presented music programs to residents of care homes in Wichita. For many years she taught piano to children in her home.

Teaching was a passion. She spent 25 years teaching in grade school and high school in Wichita, Denver and finally in Goddard, Kansas where she completed her career in the mid 1980s. During this time Jean also spent several years as a librarian in various high schools.

Drama was also a passion and she was very active in the high school productions of many plays for several years.

During the 1960s there was a large department store in Wichita called Innes. Jean became the assistant buyer for the women's ready to wear department which involved going on buying trips for the next season's clothes. This was just something of a side step as she soon was back at school.

In the mid 1970s Jean and Gordon built a house in Goddard, Kansas and she began teaching in the Goddard school system. She taught both in grade school and high school as a full time teacher and a substitute.

During these years, Jean set up a school room in her home and taught adults to read through the Literacy Association. She made many good friends, some of which lasted until the end of her life.

After her retirement Jean didn't stop. She became the 1 ^st grade grandmother at a Goddard school because so many of the children didn't have grandparents. She loved this. The children called her Grandma and would sit on her lap and hug her neck.

These weren't the only children to call her Grandma. Jean had five grandchildren whom she loved dearly. Staying all night with Grandma and Grandpa was a treat. The children grew up, married and had their own children and then there were eleven great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. She made fifth generation pictures twice. She loved her family deeply.

Jean wasn't all work. She loved a good time. She and Gordon loved to dance and would go to the Moose Club where they were known to win dance contests. Big band was the thing and their favorite dance song was In the Mood.

On Jean's 84 ^th birthday, she did something she had always wanted to try. In-line skating! It wasn't fast and she didn't go very far – but she did it. Also during her 80's Jean was doing circuit training at Curve's twice a week and loved to go country line dancing. Age was just a number.

After the death of her husband, Gordon in 1986, Jean remained in the Goddard home. She had her church, family and friends and adult reading students and just kept going. She drove her car until one month before her 95 ^th birthday.

Finally, in August of 2017, Jean left her home and made a new home in Wichita at Georgetown. She loved her apartment – her friends – and the fact that now there was always something to do. The joke was that when you went to visit, you had to hunt her down because she wasn't often in her apartment.

After an amazing long and full life, Jean fell ill became hospitalized on Valentine's Day 2019, and never regained her health. She passed away peacefully in the early morning of August 25, 2019, just 47 days short of her 101 ^st birthday.

Condolences may be left for the family at  www.bakerfhvc.com