Kathryn Packer

Mary Kathryn Smith Packer (Kathie), age 72, passed away suddenly on November 25th, 2015, in Orem Utah, due to complications from a fall and subsequent surgery. She was the middle child of Maurine & Blair Smith, born August 28, 1943 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She married James Scott Packer in the Salt Lake Temple on March 18, 1965. Kathie & Jim lived in Honduras, Utah, Maryland for 33 years, and moved back to Salt Lake City in 2005. During the last four years, Kathie lived in American Fork and Provo, UT.
Kathie attended Highland High School, and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics from the University of Utah. Kathie was always very proud of her Armenian Heritage and was diligent in sharing that with her children. She loved to cook, and especially loved Armenian food! Kathie, along with Jim, raised their five daughters to be strong, independent women, and was an example of faith and dependability. She served as an LDS Relief Society President, and was both a Ward or Stake Young Women President for 12 years. She was able to positively influence hundreds of girls and help them on their journey to adulthood. Kathie's focus was always on serving those around her in whatever capacity she could. Even though Alzheimer's disease stripped away many of her memories and abilities, it could not take away the habits formed by a lifetime of service. Even with so many struggles that stem from this disease, Kathie was always conscious of people around her, and of their feelings. She loved people, and retained her sense of humor to the end. Kathie was a lifelong learner and teacher. If she didn't know how to do something, she would research and study until she could. Kathie loved to travel and learn about the world. Kathie's advice to her posterity, "Follow the Prophet. Look for the good in others."
Kathie is survived by her five daughters - Kristin (Jared) Jones of Maple Grove, MN; Jennifer (Jeffery) Taylor of Cooksville, MD; Erin (Justin) Brown of American Fork, UT; Amy (Christian) Jenni of Mapleton, UT; and Michelle (Blaine) McGraw of Johnson City, TN; 22 grandchildren; sisters Barbara Green of Salt Lake City and Robyn (Michael) Still of Fort Collins, CO. Kathie was preceded in death by her husband, James, and her parents.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Courtyard at Jamestown Assisted Living, where Kathie lived for the last two and a half years, and especially to the Memory Care Staff, who so lovingly cared for Kathie during the last eight months. Also to the staff at The Peaks Care and Rehab, for their loving care.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, December 3rd at 11:00am at the American Fork 26th Ward, 970 N 60 E, American Fork, UT. A visitation will be held Wednesday, 6-8pm at Anderson & Sons Mortuary, 49 E 100 N, American Fork, and 9:45-10:45am at the church prior to the funeral on Thursday. Interment, Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. Please share a memory at andersonmortuary.com.