Bertha E. Smith Obituary

There are few people who have graced this earth with more class, strength, dignity and heart than Bertha Elvia Smith, known to most as "Betty” or “Nana." In her life, she taught lessons to everyone that met her; lessons that at times were so subtle that you didn't even realize until much later you had even learned. She had a way of making everyone she knew feel like the most important person in the world and with nothing more than just a look or a smile she could fill your heart.  At the same time, she could stop you in your tracks with the simple wave of her finger. Betty loved her family and friends and always wanted to be surrounded by them at every opportunity.  She dedicated her life to being the absolute best mother possible to her three children, Darlene, Johanna and Branden.
 
She is preceded in death by her parents Gilbert and Socorro Smith, Frank Smith (brother) and Mackenzie Robinson (granddaughter).  She was survived by her beloved husband, Joe Haro; her children Darlene Robinson (Kyle), Johanna Rhodes (Michael), Branden Jackson (Devon) and stepson, Joseph Haro; her grandchildren Jacob, Aaron, and Kennedy Robinson and Cameron and Charlie Rhodes; sisters Yolanda Durazo, Sylvia Liang, Nellie Pintor (Rick); brother Gilbert Smith (Belinda); and many cherished nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, honorary grandchildren, Godchildren and friends.
 
If you were lucky enough to have met or known her, there is no doubt that her selflessness and love for others shown through brighter than anything else.  Betty, no matter the situation, always insisted on making sure everyone else was taken care of.  She could always be heard saying, "Make sure you take your vitamins," "Have you been drinking enough water?" or "Let me get you another plate of food." She rarely ever attended a gathering where she didn't bring gifts for the hosts and usually several others attendees who may have had or were going to soon have a birthday or other celebration in their lives.  If Santa Claus had an assistant for the other 364 days of the year, her name would have been "Betty." 
 
This is not to say that all of the lessons learned from Betty were always so overt.  The way she lived her life, loved her children, honored her faith and sacrificed everything for the good of others during her all too short stay with us, was truly a lesson we can all continue to learn from. After a 21 year remission from having Leukemia, she was recently diagnosed with Hodgkins-Lymphoma. She continued giving of herself, as was exemplified in her passing, as she remained a picture of beauty and grace; hence, giving each of us a gift of how to live an absolutely benevolent, beautiful life.  You will be missed in all but our hearts and minds.  We love you Betty. 
 
Services will be held at St. Mark's Catholic Church, 2727 W. Tangerine Road, Oro Valley, AZ  85742, on Friday, June 30th, 2017, at 5:00 pm with Fr. John Arnold officiating.