Sally Smiley, 93, peacefully passed away of natural causes at Grace Assisted Living Care in Boise, Idaho. Sally was born in Oakland, California, the only child of Donald and Josephine Allen.
She spent her early years in Piedmont, California and graduated from Piedmont High School. She attended the University of California and was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority on campus.
Sally had a love for horses and spent many happy years riding with her school friends in the Oakland hills. She was an accomplished equestrian who competed in many horse shows throughout Northern California.
The family moved to Lafeyette, California where Sally could have her horses at home and trained at the Carousel Farms. It is here that she met her first husband Gale Reed Harris in 1951. They were married and had three children: Donald, Thomas (Tom) and Heidi. They divorced in 1957.
Sally worked for the Pacific Telephone Company in Walnut Creek, California for several years and met the love of her life and best friend James (Jim) Smiley.
On December 30, 1961, James married Sally (Allen) Harris. They welcomed two sons, James, and William (Bill), to their family.
While in Walnut Creek, Sally was active in the Oakland Junior League and the Children’s Hospital of the East Bay.
In 1969 the family moved to Donnelly, Idaho to give their children a better quality of life. They lived in Donnelly for 30 years. Sally worked as the librarian for the McCall-Donnelly Jr High in Donnelly, Idaho for nine years and was active in various organizations. Sally served as a 4H Leader, was an active member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, served as secretary for the Donnelly City Council and later served on the Donnelly Planning and Zoning board.
In 1995, Sally and Jim moved to Boise to be closer to their children and grandchildren. After retirement, Sally and Jim liked to travel and attend Boise State games.
Sally is survived by children Tom Harris (Chris), James Smiley, Jr. (Cindy) and Bill Smiley (Leanne); 6 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; 1 great, great grandchild.
The family would acknowledge the wonderful care by the staff of Grace Assisted Living Care and St Lukes hospice care team. She was well taken care of by them, and we thank them.
Services will be at the Idaho Veterans Cemetery on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers please donate to Ronald McDonalds House or a charity of your choice.