Charleen E Smith

Charleen Smith, 83, of Leadville, Colorado, passed away in Denver on January 13, 2026, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Charleen was born in April 1942 in Salida, Colorado, to Charlie and Mazie Gabarde. She spent her early childhood in Climax, CO and Leadville and graduated from Leadville High School in 1960. During her junior year, she met the love of her life, Dick Smith, whom she married in 1965. They shared 68 years together.

After high school, Charleen studied nursing at Saint Joseph’s School of Nursing in Denver and later earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Colorado. She worked in the operating room at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Denver before returning to Leadville, where she worked in the hospital. She and Dick moved to Columbus, Ohio, where she was a nurse at Riverside Methodist Hospital. Upon returning to Leadville, she worked in the operating room at St. Vincent Hospital and later became Director of the Lake County Health Department. During that time, she earned her master’s degree from Regis University.

Charleen remained deeply connected to St. Vincent Hospital, serving for many years on its board of directors and later as board chair. She was also an active member of the Democratic Central Committee for much of her career.

In addition to her own professional accomplishments, Charleen supported her husband in the family business, The S.L. Smith Lumber Company. After retiring from the health department, she devoted much of her time to the business.

In the 1970s, Charleen and Dick built a home where she enjoyed gardening, one of her great pleasures. She also loved traveling with Dick and their children, both throughout the United States and abroad.

Charleen is survived by her husband, Dick; her daughter, Leesa; and her grandson, Gabriel. She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Chad.

A celebration of life may be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.