Frances Amelia Smith

October 08, 1919 - July 31, 2012

Frances Amelia Smith

October 08, 1919 - July 31, 2012

Obituary

Frances “Pinney” Amelia Bergstedt Hedstrom Smith
October 8, 1919-July 31, 2012

Beloved daughter, sister, wife, mom, teacher…1oved God, family, music, and serving
others.

Born in South Bend, Indiana, the daughter of Oscar and Anna Bergstedt, Frances early in
life received the nickname “Pinney,” short for Princess, as the youngest daughter in the
family. Pinney graduated from high school in South Bend, and attended college at North
Park College in Chicago.

The family moved to Fresno, California, in the 1940s, where they attended the First
Covenant Church. Frances married Earl Hedstrom, and they had a daughter, Carolyn.
Earl passed away in 1956. Now a single-parent mom, Frances trained to be a teacher at
Fresno State College, and taught in Fresno City schools where she met Roy W. Smith, a
school principal.

Frances and Roy, a widower with three children, were married in 1960. Together they
raised four children, Carol (Barry) Clum of Ipswich, Massachusetts, Dorene (Steve)
Morgan of El Segundo, California, Neil (Elaine Shamberger) Smith of Olympia,
Washington, and Carolyn (Larry) Davis of Custer, Washington.

Pinney’s love for God, music, and serving others was evident throughout her life. With a
lovely soprano voice she sang in the church choir, in family quartets, duets, and solos.
She taught in Fresno City and County schools for 20+ years, where she especially loved
kindergarten … she could sing with the kids!

After retirement Frances and Roy lived on an almond farm in Clovis, California, near
Pinney’s family in Turlock, California, and near son Neil in Olympia, Washington. After
Roy’s passing, Pinney moved to Lynden, Washington, to be near daughter Carolyn.

Frances is predeceased by her parents, husbands Earl and Roy, sisters Eleanor Bergstedt
and Doris Anderson, brothers Milton, Norman, and Paul Bergstedt. She is survived by
her children, their spouses, and several grandchildren.

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