Marilee D. Hinnaland Smith

Peggy died May 26th, 2010 in Billings from cancer in the presence of her family. She was born August 2, 1947 in Butte, MT to Martin and Doris Hinnaland. Her family moved to Billings while in grade school. She graduated from Billings West High School and the University of Washington with a RN. She later earned a Masters of Nursing from Montana State University.

While a freshman in high school, she began dating Barry Smith who become her husband in July, 1968. This marriage produced two children. She began her nursing career at Billings Deaconess Hospital and later worked for St. Vincent’s Hospital in the maternity ward. Peggy was one of the first Lamaze instructors in Billings. Later she became a LPC and opened her own counseling service. She ended her career at Billing Clinic when her illness forced retirement. She was a natural nurse who always put the needs of her patients and others before her own. Peggy loved skiing, backpacking, riding horses, and spending time with her friends and family.

She was preceded in death by her father, mother, and sister, Sherrie Hinnaland Keating. Her mother and sister were also nurses. She is survived by husband Barry of Joliet, daughter Sara (Steve) of Missoula and son Casey (Hannah) of Bozeman.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

++++

Barry, Sara & Casey, What a special lady Peggy was! I so enjoyed our summer horseback rides and visits. Her concerns for others always came ahead of her own. She will be missed by so many people that she connected with in some way. Betty Grewell

My cousin Peggy Hinnaland Smith was an extremely special person to me and to her other (Larson family) cousins. We played and grew up with her in Butte and in Billings and always greatly enjoyed her company. We also enjoyed going with Peg and her sister Sherrie and her family to visit our Larson grandparents farm near Chester, Montana in the summers. We kids had so much fun exploring the farm and wandering through the wheat fields. Peggy was always kind, always great fun to be around, and was very considerate of others. We all admired her many educational accomplishments and also appreciated her dedication to all the member of her beloved family and to her horses and to the healing/nursing profession she had chosen. She leaves a huge hole in my heart and in all of her cousin’s hearts and in our extended family but she will always be remembered. Although we cousins have all lived far away from Billings for many years, none of us will ever forget Peggy nor will we ever forget how special and important she has always been to all of us. — Joanne Fife, cousin

Very sorry for your loss.

Mike Cross

Dear Barry, Sara and Casey

Peggy was a very special person to us. She came to stay with my family as an AFS student in 1964. She fitted in very quickly and we had a wonderful summer together. She and I made a memorable trip from my home in Cardiff, Wales, up to Scotland to visit the area where our family came from. We nearly didn't make it back when our little Morris Minor car had an out of control acceleration problem on the main highway A74 coming home. A helpful AA man fixed the problem easily, but it was an adventure for us being stuck in the middle of nowhere. We became firm friends and when she went back to Montana, we kept in touch over the years.

The last time we saw Peggy, she came with Barbara to visit me and my husband Paul in Melbourne. We went on a special outback riding holiday, in the same part of the country as ‘the man from Snowy river' worked the cattle in. I think she really enjoyed that experience, plus the great dress-up (black-tie) evening when we all went to a televised special sports dinner at the Crown Centre.

We always hoped to visit her beloved Montana one day.

Sara, we enjoyed spending so much time with you when you were in Australia and enjoyed getting to know one of Peg's children.

Our abiding memory of Peggy is of a giving, loving, kind person with a quiet sense of humor, who made the world a much better place with her life. Our thoughts are with you all.

Helen and Paul

Sara and Casey, sorry for your loss. She was a very classy lady.

Tim and Sherry Weamer

Hi Barry and family;

I am so sorry for your loss.

Perry L. Lowenstein

Peggy was a wonderful person – full of joy and kindness. She was soft when she needed to be soft, and tough when it mattered.

The memories I have our our summers with her and Sherrie and our other Larson clan members in Billings, in Butte, in Chester, and when they came to visit us in Virginia are memories to treasure.

Although we’ve been separated by miles for many, many years, Peg was dear to me and to my family. She will be greatly missed. I’m so grateful I had a chance to know her and to share with her.

Gayla Larson

I have such fond memories of Peggy and her whole family from high school. She was always very caring and loving to all. It has been years since I have seen her but have always remembered her and the special memories of our friendship, fun times, majorettes, parties, weddings, and all. I remember you, too, Barry, and I send my sympathy and prayers to you and your children and families. God bless you, Gerel Goodman Lodine