Lora Ann Smith Stillson, our beloved grandmother and friend, age 91, passed away peacefully on February 20, 2025, at Goodlife Senior Living Center in Elmo.

Gram was born on April 14, 1933, in Greenfield, Massachusetts, the only child of Everett Robinson Smith and Geneva Anna Stroheker.

Gram grew up on the family chicken farm in Vermont where her family raised 5,000 chickens.  They provided eggs for the entire region. Gram’s job was to grade the eggs.  Needless to say, she was not a fan of chicken or eggs.

Gram married Grandpa, Earl William Stillson on January 20, 1951, in Windsor, Vermont.  Together they had two children, Jerry Everett in 1951 and Jean Irene in 1956.

In 1953, Gram and Grandpa sold their home in Vermont, loaded everything into their car and drove across the country to Tucson, Arizona with little two-year-old Jerry in the backseat.  They purchased their forever home on Calle Castor, in November of 1959.  Gram lived there for 65 years, almost 20 of those years alone, until September of 2024 when she finally agreed to move to Utah to be near her family.  These months with Gram have been precious and we are so thankful that she was here.  Her only complaint was that it was much colder here than in Tucson.

Gram was a member of the Christ Presbyterian Church in Tucson.  She had many wonderful friends there that took exceptional care of her.  She loved her church family so much.  Her family is extremely grateful for their continued love and care of Gram.

Gram was a tell it like it is, independent, no-nonsense gal and we love her so much for that.  You knew what she was thinking, and you knew she was always the boss.  When the staff at Goodlife rearranged the tables in the dining room, they sat her at the head of the table, and she said that was as it should be.  She was our sassy spitfire.  She loved popcorn and gummy peach candy.  She always had her lipstick on.  She loved to travel when she was younger.  She enjoyed road trips and sleepovers with Shannon.  She loved the Saguaro National Park in Tucson and enjoyed taking her family there to see the massive Saguaro cacti every time they visited, especially if they were in bloom.  She will never be forgotten.

Gram is survived by her daughter-in-law, Karen Stillson, Price, Utah; granddaughter, Shannon (Bart) World, Cleveland, Utah; grandsons, Eric Stillson and Justin (Laura) Stillson, all of Price, Utah; great-grandchildren, Zachary (Allyssa) World, Moore, Utah, Madalyn World (Chandler Adair), Ferron, Utah, Aliana Stillson, Phoenix, Arizona, Brayson World, Cleveland, Utah, Tyler Stillson, Grand Junction, Colorado and Brantley Stillson, Texas; sister-in-law, Pru Russell of Ascutney, Vermont; lifelong friend, Hazel Hatch of Tucson, Arizona; and many other friends whom she loved and communicated with often.

Preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Geneva; husband, Earl; son, Jerry; and daughter, Jean.

The family would like to extend many heartfelt thanks to the staff at Castleview Hospital and Dr. Valdez, Tiana and Shaela and the entire staff at Symbii Home Health and Hospice, but especially Ashley and the wonderful staff at Goodlife Senior Living for taking great care of Gram.  She was right at home there.  The family would also like to thank Mary Durgin, Janet Foster and Michael Kapela in Tucson for their years of friendship and care of Gram.  She would not have been able to live independently for so long without them.  They are angels and we appreciate them so much.

Services will take place at South Lawn Mortuary and Memorial Park in Tucson, Arizona where she will be interred next to her beloved husband, Earl.

Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Lora online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net