Elisabeth Gertrude Brillhart

On July 2, 1934, Reverend William R. Smart and Gertrude Charman Smart welcomed their fourth child and only daughter, Elisabeth Gertrude Smart. Beth spent her early childhood in London, but when the war became too dangerous, she and her brother John were sent to the country to stay with her godmother, Arbie. Of her time there, she held fond memories of riding bikes with her brother John and beloved dog, Timmy. During the summers, her whole family would spend time camping in the English countryside, away from the city. She talked of being tossed up onto the roof of the big canvas tent and sliding down, to be caught by her two eldest brothers who were home from boarding school.

Beth went to fashion design school in London before deciding to move to Canada in 1957. She eventually found herself in Ohio. She married LaVon Brillhart in 1960. They welcomed son Mark in 1961 followed closely by daughter Sara in 1962. Beth was happiest at their family home on Eber road. She tended to her beautiful garden, enjoyed time with her goats, spent many hours painting and let her children explore the great world. It was important that Mark and Sara be exposed to different things, taking day trips to the art museum or making a family trip to the symphony.

Beth made the most out of what life gave her. She was resilient, perseverant and fiercely independent. Creative in all ways. She had dreams of being an artist and fashion designer, and found her own path to achieve both. Although she was disappointed to leave her art community in Toledo, she found a community of artists in southwest Montana. Finding a home in Dillon also allowed her to be neighbors with her daughter and son in law for 25 years and be an integral part of her grandchildren and great grandchildren's lives.

It is hard, in just a few paragraphs, to describe the magic of Beth. A creative, an artist, a clothing designer, an activist, an animal empath, a gardener, a mom, a gram, and a loyal friend. We will miss her fierce spirit and seeing cards from her in the mail. She will be deeply missed by her daughter Sara and son in law Andrew, as well as her grandchildren, Dylan, Kelsie, Grace, Dana, and Jack, and great grandchildren, Ira, Sylvie, and Charlotte. She was preceded in death by her husband, LaVon, and son Mark.