Margaret Ann Boone Smyser, 93

Margaret Ann Boone Smyser passed away, at the age of 93, on Nov. 22, 2015, in Boise, Idaho. A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 30, at the Alden-Waggoner Funeral Home, Boise. Interment will be at the Canyon Hill Cemetery, Caldwell, Idaho.

Margaret was born at St. Luke’s Hospital, Boise, on Jan. 29, 1922, to James L. and Margaret King Boone. Margaret was the only granddaughter of William Judson Boone, founder of the College of Idaho, and Annie Boone of Caldwell. She was also the first granddaughter of Nampa, Idaho, postmaster Howard King and Cornelia King of Nampa.

Margaret lived in Boise until her junior year at Boise High School when her parents moved to New York. Upon graduation from Great Neck High School she returned to Idaho to attend the College of Idaho. It was there she met another student, Doiel E. Smyser, of Parma, Idaho. Their college courtship was defined by the events of World War II, when Doiel graduated from the College of Idaho and entered the Navy. Doiel called upon Margaret’s parents to ask for her hand in marriage. Permission was only given if Margaret promised to return to college after their Jan. 1, 1943 wedding. Upon graduation with the Class of ‘43, Margaret returned to New York where she lived with her parents until the end of the war, when Doiel was discharged from the Navy and returned to New York. Margaret and Doiel lived for 12 years in Williston Park and Garden City, New York. All four of their children were born in New York.

Desiring a return to a smaller, more rural area to raise their family, they moved to Kalispell in 1954. During the 21 years they lived in Kalispell, Margaret was very involved in the Presbyterian Church, PEO and in her children’s schools. She and Doiel had many friends and were actively engaged in support of various civic and friendship activities while there.

In 1975, they returned to Boise to care for Margaret’s mother. They were delighted to be back among both Doiel’s and Margaret’s families. They picked up with friendships from college and made many wonderful, new friends through the Presbyterian Church Ark Club. Margaret transferred to PEO Chapter H in Boise. Doiel and Margaret spent many hours with family and friends playing bridge and hosting many lively dinner parties. Margaret and Doiel were married for 55 years.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband Doiel in 1998. She was also predeceased by her mother, her father, her brothers Bill and Howard, and her aunt, Babe, (Margaret Boone).

She is survived by her children, Jim and Jane Smyser of Moseley, Virginia, Sally and Dan Moore of Bellingham, Washington, Jeanne and Sheldon Barker of Boise, and the Hon. Howard Smyser of Boise; seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Margaret was a wonderful daughter, wife, mother and friend. She was great fun, loved reading, playing bridge, watching football and golf, enjoyed writing birthday poems and had a great sense of humor. She will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the College of Idaho Boone-Smyser Book Scholarship Fund, or to PEO Chapter H Local Women’s Scholarship Fund.