Barbara M. Smalley, 67

Barbara Smalley, 67, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, died at home in the presence of family July 5, 2024, after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

She and her twin sister, Bonnie, were born Oct. 27, 1956, in Austin, Minn., to Louis and Mary Blahnik. The family moved to a farm north of Spring Valley in 1962 and she graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1975. Barb graduated from Rochester Community College in 1977. She married Leon Gehrking and moved to Nashville, Tenn., and Gresham, Ore., prior to their divorce. She worked at several jobs and then was employed for a decade, each in the travel industry, selling advertising for the CDA Press and as the Development Director of St Vincent de Paul North Idaho before retirement in 2022. 

Barb married the love of her life, Martin Smalley, in 1986. They made their home in Cd'A and happily entertained family and friends for many visits. These visits often included a Bloody Mary and something on the barbecue. Barb became a more independent and resilient woman in 2008 after the death of Marty. She was active in the community, holding leadership roles at the Cd'A Eagles Auxiliary, serving on the board of Matt’s Place Foundation, active in Women in Business, The Cd'A Rotary, the Cd'A Chamber of Commerce and various other community service organizations.  

Barb had a zest for creativity, including painting, clothing, and shoes, a curiosity that kept her always engaged and learning, and an eagerness for interaction and relationships with family and friends. Those relationships included her grandsons, who she said their laughter was like “heaven on earth.” Her energy for travel, social gatherings and community service was everlasting.  Barb appreciated reading, watching sports (Minnesota Vikings), walking, and exercising, as well as her dog, Cheech. Above all, she believed in God and his plan for each of us. 

She is survived by her daughter, Jessica McGreal and her husband, Jordan, Hayden, Idaho; step-children: Martin Smalley (Kira), Boise, Idaho; Chris Smalley (Jennifer), Hayden, Idaho; and Kimberly Brashear (Tony), Oran, Mo.; grandsons; Louis and Henry McGreal; step-grandchildren: Jesse, Audrey, Wyatt and Riley Smalley; Joey and Jake Phillips; and Tyler and Colten Brashear; brothers: James, Joseph, Donald (Brenda) and Fred (Carla) Blahnik; sisters: Mary Haggerty (Ken), Darlene Kraus (Joe), Dorothy Denison (Jerry), Caroline Greeley, Beth Pestka (Jerry) and Cathy Bly (Jack). She is preceded in death by her husband, Marty, twin sister Bonnie, brother Francis and both parents. 

A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 15, 2024, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 625 E. Haycraft Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815. A reception will be held at the church following mass. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in her memory to be made to Matt’s Place Foundation, P.O. Box 3673, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816. 

Please visit Barb’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.