Helen Oliveto Smith

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06/03/1920–08/27/2011
PRICE-The matriarch of our family and a pillar of the community, Helen Oliveto Smith was lifted to the heavens on Aug. 27, 2011, and left behind a legacy of kindness and giving and a family who loved her deeply.
Helen was a first generation Italian/American who was born June 3, 1920 in Sunnyside, Utah to Louis and Elena Mele Oliveto. Helen worked at the Oliveto family business from the time she was small, until her death. She later owned and operated Oliveto’s Furniture and Appliance (now Oliveto Fine Gifts).
On Oct. 4, 1948, she married her adoring and loving husband, Earl Smith, a Soil Conservation Engineer from Texas, and the two of them inherited all the nieces and nephews as their own. Earl preceded her in death on Feb. 28, 1999. Helen was everyone’s “Aunt Helen” and best known for her fried peppers, hot wine, and “would you like to buy a ticket? … it’s for a good cause”
Her achievements in the community are both significant and numerous. She received the following awards and recognitions: College of Eastern Utah Eagle Award, Utah State Chamber of Commerce Total Citizen Award, BPW “Woman of Achievement” Award, Notre Dame Catholic Woman of the Year, Elks Distinguished Citizen, Beta Sigma Phi “First Lady of Price” recognition. Helen was also presented with “The Key to the City” and was the Grand Marshall in the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.
She has been a member of Castleview Hospital Board for 33 Years. Helen was a member of the Business and Professional Women for 70 years, served on the Price City Planning and Zoning Committee for more than 40 years, Carbon County Comprehensive Planning Projects Economic Development Task Force, member of Pro Carbon, and with the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce since its inception. Add to that the Price Retail Merchants Association (and a past president), and the Carbon Cancer Board (six years as president). She was active with the Red Cross for more than 15 years. Helen was a charter member of Soroptimist International and their first local president. She was also a member of the Price Ladies of Elks, WAIME, Carbon Credit Union, and served on the Castle Valley Board of the Utah Symphony.
Helen was active in her church, and was a member of the Notre Dame Altar Society (three time president) and the Notre Dame Woman’s Society. In addition, Helen served as past president of the Southeastern Utah District Council of Catholic Women and on the Notre Dame Parish Council.
She is survived by her sister, Rose (John) Craven, Price; 13 nieces and nephews, numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews, and many friends.
Preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters, Angelina (Tom) King, Antoinette (James) McKean, Jennie (Rudy) Felice; brothers, Samuel (June) Oliveto, Dominic (Janet) Oliveto; two nephews, one niece, and one great-great-nephew.
Funeral Mass, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011, 10 a.m., Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church (210 North Carbon Ave) in Price. Vigil service, Wednesday evening 7:30 p.m., at the church. Family will receive friends at the church Wednesday and Thursday one hour prior to services. Committal service, Price City Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price, where friends are welcome daily and may share memories of Helen at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net