Joanne C. Smith

Joanne Smith of Boise, Idaho, ended the final movement of her life on a peaceful note on November 18th, 2024, after 94 years of great talent, deep dedication, and profound love.

Joanne was born on June 25th, 1930, in Weiser, Idaho, to Barney and Geneva (née Bostic) Goul. Joanne's earliest years were deeply influenced by her brother Sid, who, six years her senior and her lifelong friend, helped set the stage for her love of music to take hold. At the age of three, Joanne began learning to play by ear the songs that Sid was practicing on the piano, and she started formal lessons herself at three-and-a-half years old. At the age of five, Joanne entered her first music recital competition and won a silver medal with Martin’s "Prelude in F Major", Bentley’s "The Elf and the Fairy", and the help of a special box her father built to enable Joanne’s feet to reach the pedals. By age 8 she would accompany her dad to band rehearsal to help tune the instruments by ear.  She went on to play several concerts over the years and at the age of 17 she recorded an album with her piano teacher Mozart's "Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor" during The Young Artist Radio Program.

When Joanne was six years old, her family moved to Boise where she continued her musical studies and took part in numerous school and local musical programs. After one year, the family moved to Caldwell, Idaho, where Joanne continued her schooling, and every week she would make the trek from Caldwell to Boise for her piano lessons under Bernice Brusen. Ms. Brusen recognized the extraordinary level of talent present in Joanne and, because the family couldn’t afford lessons, taught her without payment. Some of Joanne's favorite childhood memories were climbing trees with her dog Pat, spending the summer at the family cabin and playing on the beach in McCall.

She met two lifelong friends in the second grade, Mary Lou Barbee and Eleanor Mills, and it was in eighth grade that Joanne met her future husband, Joe Smith. Her love of coffee started in her sophomore year, and while it wasn’t love at first sight for her and Joe, she said, "There were smiles. I thought he was very good looking.” When a school dance reversed roles so girls had to ask boys to attend with them, Joanne took the first step in their relationship by asking Joe to go with her. Joe returned the favor by asking her to the next dance. Coffee and music became two of the things they shared throughout their life together.

Joanne’s formative years were also marked by her family’s involvement in the wartime efforts during World War II. In addition to instructing people in aviation for local crop tending, her father played a pivotal role by teaching flight to many men in preparation for service during the war, while her brother Sid was serving as a Marine in the Pacific. Encouraged by her father, Joanne began taking flying lessons. Her sweet 16 was a busy year—she performed her solo flight on her 16th birthday, becoming the youngest woman in Idaho to hold a pilot's license; wrote her first piano composition; and won the state swimming championship.

Joanne was well-liked by her peers and was voted most popular and prom queen during her senior year at Caldwell High School in 1948. She then spent a year at the University of Idaho studying music on a scholarship before transferring to the College of Idaho, where Joe was already enrolled. She entered their nursing program but soon realized it wasn’t the right path for her. She returned her focus to music and began teaching piano to students in the local community. Joe and Joanne were married in 1950.

Joanne continued to build her career as a musician and teacher while Joe’s studies took them to several cities across the U.S. during the early years of their marriage. In 1954, they moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where Joanne helped put her husband through a master's program at Harvard University by teaching accordion lessons after learning to play the instrument in one week.

In 1957, Joanne moved with her husband and infant son to Los Angeles, California. After the addition of a second son and a daughter, the family relocated to McLean, Virginia in 1967. Joanne and her family moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1968, where she raised her children, continued teaching piano, and enjoyed serving as the church pianist.  Joanne was very involved in Kirkwood Baptist Church and treasured the many lifelong friendships she made.  She adored her piano students and loved hosting pool parties at their home. Finally, in 1984, the family moved back to Boise, Idaho, and settled into a community they cherished, surrounded by a large family and many friends.

Joanne’s family was her heart, and her faith was her foundation. She and Joe built a life filled with love, laughter, and a shared commitment to each other, instilling an enduring appreciation for music in their children and grandchildren. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, Joanne found joy in spending time with her family. She always emphasized the importance of pursuing one’s passions and dreams, whether through music, education, or service to others, and often reminded her students that the most difficult pieces can be mastered by practicing three times every day.

Her love of music and her ability to touch others through it never waned. Joanne taught piano professionally to over 1,500 students over 50 years, wrote over 30 original pieces, and was always willing to assist anyone who asked; she gave her last piano lesson in September 2024. In addition to her love for music and family, Joanne had a deep appreciation for the beauty of life. Whether it was through travel, her love of animals (particularly dogs), or simply enjoying a quiet moment with Joe in McCall, Idaho, she found joy in the small things and never took any day for granted.

A woman of quiet strength, Joanne was also known for her kindness, sense of humor, and adventurous spirit, receiving a helicopter lesson on her 80th birthday. She leaves behind a legacy of love, devotion, and music, and an example of the beauty that can be found in a life well-lived. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her children Mark (Felita), Eric (Cindi), and Stephanie (Kevin); grandchildren Sara, Daniel, Britany, Matthew, Jacob, Alexa, Brian, and Peter; great-grandchildren Zane, Zach, Alek, Clayton, Olivia, Adelaide, Claire, Ira, Penny, and Prince; great-great-grandchild Anayah; cousin Dianne and cousin Margo; nieces and nephews Janis, Doug, Darren, Barbara, Jim, Rick, and Greg; puppy dog Daisy; Joanne was preceded in death by her husband Joe of 67 years, her parents, her brother Sid, her grandson Robert, her brother-in-law Dene, her brother-in-law Larry, her sister-in-law LoRee, her cousin Karl, and her cousin Lowell, and at least 20 dogs from throughout her lifetime.

The funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM on Monday, November 25th, 2024, at the Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel, 5400 Fairview Ave, Boise with reception following. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Idaho Humane Society, idahohumanesociety.org/donate/.