MONTPELIER — ElDean Ashley Roberts Smedley, 81, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002, at the Bear Lake Memorial Hospital in Montpelier. She was born Jan. 21, 1921, in Montpelier, Idaho, to Albert John and Bessie Jenkins Hoskins Ashley.

She married Lawrence Roberts on April 22, 1941, and the marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake City temple. They had three children, Larry, Ralene and Blair. Lawrence passed away on Nov. 23, 1989. She later married Arlyn D. Smedley on Oct. 5, 1994, in the Ogden, Utah LDS Temple.

She was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and held many positions during her lifetime.

She worked at the Montpelier Laundry for a time, and then for over 30 years she worked at the Bear Lake Memorial Hospital, retiring at age 75. 

ElDean enjoyed crocheting, picking huckleberries, gardening and evening drives — and most of all, the neighborhood children.

ElDean is survived by her husband, Arlyn, of Montpelier; two children, Larry R. and Sue, of Soda Springs, Ralene and William Bird of Layton, Utah; six stepchildren, Craig and Ann Smedley, Keven and Kathleen Smedley and Becky and Larry Albiston, all of Salt Lake City, Mark and Shelly Smedley of Kaysville, Utah, Kris and Kathleen Smedley of Montpelier, Idaho, and Kerry and Kenra Smedley of North Ogden, Utah; 37 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her first husband, one son, Blair, and 10 brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 11 a.m. in the Montpelier Sixth Ward Chapel. Burial will be in the Montpelier Cemetery.