Teacher's generosity lives on

Katheryn Maerz wants people to remember her mother, Susan Smith of Columbia Falls, as a woman who was passionate about education and the outdoors.

“She always was teaching life principles all through her life to people. She was a natural-born teacher,” Maerz said. “She taught a lot about her spiritual life as well. She was a great teacher.”

Smith, 60, who died March 27, had home-schooled her five children and went on to earn a teaching degree. She taught for a short time in California and in schools around the Flathead Valley, where she lived for more than 30 years.

When Maerz went through her mother’s belongings, she found a treasure trove of school supplies. She filled about 30 grocery bags provided by Super 1 Foods with the supplies and recently donated them to the Columbia Falls Junior High School.

“There’s everything from algebraic calculators, brand new in the package, and rulers to colored pencils, art supplies, and notebooks and folders, and pencil sharpeners, erasers and glue — just a lot of different supplies,” Maerz said. “She was prepared to supply her students with all they needed.”

Donating the supplies would have meant a lot to her mother, Maerz said.

“I think it’s a good memorial,” Maerz said. “My mom would have really liked to know that those supplies went to students that were in need, and that she can make a difference, because that’s what she was all about — making a difference.”

Most recently, Smith worked as an academic coordinator for the University of Great Falls’ satellite campus at Flathead Valley Community College and part-time as a math tutor for FVCC.

One of Smith’s colleagues, Dennis Haverlandt, also an academic coordinator for the University of Great Falls, said Smith was outgoing and intelligent.

“She was very good with the students and the students really liked her, too,” Haverlandt said.

“Her passion was math,” Maerz said. “I have a book of letters from her students saying, ‘Thank you so much, I finally get math,’ ‘Thank you for being patient,’ ‘Thank you for taking the time.’ She just wanted people to understand it. She simplified it. She used hands-on methods that the kids could understand.”

Maerz remembered her mother as a spirited person who had a zest for adventure, whether it was riding horses or rapids.

“She loved the mountains, she loved Glacier Park, she loved the freedom,” Maerz said.

Smith also served in the Montana House of Representatives in 1995. She is survived by her children Brian Smith, of Palm Desert, Calif., Kelly Smith, of Indio Hills, Calif., Christopher Smith, of San Diego, Calif., Spencer Smith, of Los Angeles, Calif., and Maerz, of Columbia Falls, along with six grandchildren.