Phyllis Smith Mcclenahan
Phyllis Smith Mcclenahan
Phyllis
Smith McClenahan was born in Weiser, Idaho Apri
l 9
th
,
1915. She died in Boise February 24,
2014. She was the middle daughter of
Franklin Roland Smith and Mable Gertrude Smith. Although she and her husband traveled
frequently in later years, Phyllis always said that the move from Weiser to
Boise was enough for one lifetime. She
attended the College of Idaho as a music major (piano her specialty). Her favorite professor told her that if her
hands were as good as her ears, she’d be a concert pianist. For the rest of her life she brought much
joy to herself and others by being able to play almost anything, in any key
you’d like, just hum a few bars. She met
her husband Donald Johnston McClenahan at the C of I. After graduation she taught school in both
Hailey and Emmett, Idaho. When Don left for
law school in Washington, DC she followed, and they were married in 1941. After the war they returned to Idaho. She was the leader of the children’s choir at
the First Presbyterian Church on State Street in Boise. In the mid-50’s Phyllis started a
kindergarten in the basement of her home.
She subsequently worked with her husband to develop legislation
regulating the type of facility required for such child care. She also worked with him in getting the Idaho
driver training manual translated into Spanish.
She started taking Spanish lessons in her 60’s. After the kindergarten years she taught the
handicapped children at the Elks Hospital.
She was active in the League of Women Voters and managed the ticket
sales of the Boise Philharmonic (in the days when the computer was a shoe box
full of paper). She was also a reluctant
but loyal member of the PEO (and she never did tell us what those initials
meant). She was a great cook, always
making everything “from scratch”, including soap. Her sense of humor, “spunk” as she would
say, and her warm regard for her fellow beings are just part of the legacy she
leaves.
She had four
children: Judy Banis (Chris), Susan
Glaetzer (Richard), John McClenahan (Rosemary) and Mike McClenahan. There are six grandchildren: Danielle (Josh), Neil, Trevor (Missy), Jessica,
and Caroline McClenahan, and Brendan Glaetzer.
Sister-in-law
Kathleen McClenahan (Ken) and son-in-law Richard Glaetzer also survive Phyllis.
Phyllis was
preceded in death by her husband, Donald, her parents, daughter Susan, sisters
Jean Abrams and Shirley Cole, brother-in-law Ken, son-in-law Chris. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to
the College of Idaho Music Department.
There will be a celebration of her life on
Saturday, March 8
th
, 1pm to 5pm, at 1111 North 17
th
Street, Boise.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Phyllis Smith Mcclenahan, please visit our flower store.
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