Elaine Robb Smith

Jan. 12, 1911-April 7, 2007, was born in Cedar City, Utah and attended West High School, the University of Utah, and the La Crist School of Dancing in Salt Lake City. She began studying ballet in 1922 and tap in 1929. She was a member of the Dancing Masters of America and worked in vaudeville, traveling around the western United States and Canada on the Pantages Circuit and in other shows. During World War II, she worked at the Boeing Aircraft Co., as an inspector a ?Rosie the Riveter? on B-17s and B-29s. She married Army Air Force Lieutenant Channing Lloyd Smith on August 3, 1944. Their marriage lasted over 50 years. Elaine also worked as a professional seamstress tailoress for I. Magnin in Los Angeles, before the war. Elaine was a dedicated dancing teacher, teaching tap and ballet in Seattle from 1950-1998. She taught students ranging in age from 3 to 85, her last classes being for the Kent Senior Citizens Center. She and Channing were also devoted ball room dancers, often being the first couple out on the floor and the last to leave. Her three loves were dancing, sewing, and horses. Her own horse, Buck lived to be 38 years old. She took great pride in her ability ...[more]

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a seamstress, designing and making many lovely clothes and costumes. She was very proud of her dancing family - her daughter, Diana, and grand-daughter Elizabeth, who danced with her and Channing in a ?three-generation? tap dance ensemble. She would like to be remembered as a good teacher and a good dancer, who always tried to make it fun for her students. Elaine is survived by her daughter, Diana Smith, and her grand-daughter, Elizabeth Mair Mark Strong. Memorial donations can be made to the Millionair Club or any charity benefiting animals.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, April 13, 12:00PM; Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Home Chapel 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle. Committal, Evergreen Memorial Park.