Longtime and third generation Alaskan Ellen Jeanne Smith, 83, died July 6, 2008, at her son Brian’s home in Homer.

Ellen was born Jan. 11, 1925, in Fairbanks. It was a 50 degrees below night and her father pushed her mother to the hospital in a dogsled. Her parents were homesteaders in Fairbanks and Ellen grew up in a log cabin on Farmers Loop Road. When her father obtained a job with Pan Am Airlines as a radio operator, the family moved with him to Bethel in 1938.

In 1940, Ellen moved to Vashon Island where she attended Vashon High School and met her future husband, Vern. After high school she worked at the Boeing Plant in Seattle and taught dance at Arthur Murray. Ellen and Vern married and lived in the Pacific Northwest, where their three children were born.

In 1959 Vern was transferred to Anchorage to establish a branch of the 3M company, so Ellen once again returned to Alaska. She and her family enjoyed the four seasons on Campbell Creek and later on the hillside in a home that Ellen built with her husband and sons. Ellen worked at Wendler Junior High School in the office as administrator assistant and made many lifelong friends. She also was active in Girl Scouts and the Lions Club.

After retirement in 1985, Ellen and her husband moved to Whidbey Island where she enjoyed growing roses, boating and walks on the beach. In 1997 she became a snowbird, spending summers in Alaska and winters in Green Valley, Ariz. Ellen and Vern also were quite active in later years with Vern’s World War II Rainbow Division veterans’ organization.

Ellen was a gentle but determined soul who was kind to a fault. She was happiest when surrounded by family and was extremely supportive of all her children. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, who have always had a special place in her heart. Ellen was a fantastic baker and cook and also was an accomplished gardener. She loved her home, but also had an adventurous streak. She and her husband liked to hop into an RV and travel throughout Alaska. She also liked to visit new places and traveled to Europe and New Zealand and returned to Hawaii whenever possible.

Ellen is survived by her children, Brian Smith of Homer, Karen Luecker of Anchorage and Dr. Bruce Smith and his wife Wendy; granddaughters Courtney and Madison Smith, all of Anchorage; and grandson Casey Luecker of Fairbanks. Her brother, Lauren Dana, and his wife Marjorie reside in Federal Way.

Ellen was preceded in death by Vern Smith, her husband of 52 years.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations be considered to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.