Jeanne Smiga

BOISE — Jeanne Marie Smiga, born on November 23, 1973, passed away on December 5, 2024, filled by love and cherished memories.

Jeanne was the beloved wife of Joseph Smiga Jr., devoted mother to her daughter Dawn Smiga, and a guiding presence to her surrogate daughter Jamie Torres. She also leaves behind her treasured furbabies, Kokanee and Whiskey B, as well as many other loved ones by both relation and choice. 

Jeanne was the cherished daughter of Joan and Jerry Ferguison and Curtis Fields. Her parents raised her to be a strong woman of faith and she grew up enjoying the fellowship in the Emmett church.

Known for her radiant spirit, Jeanne was often described as a literal ray of sunshine. Her infectious smile lit up every room she entered, and her boundless generosity touched countless lives.

Jeanne never knew a stranger; she had an extraordinary ability to connect with people and make them feel valued. Her zest for life was unmatched—she embraced every moment with enthusiasm and joy.

Jeanne’s passions included cruising and traveling, pursuits that allowed her to explore the world while creating unforgettable memories with those she held dear. She lived boldly, taking the bull by the horns and savoring life to its fullest. Above all else, Jeanne’s family was her greatest priority; she poured her heart into nurturing those she loved.

Jeanne’s vibrant presence will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her. May her memory serve as a source of comfort and inspiration to those who carry her spirit forward in their hearts.

This Obituary will run January 9th 2025 in the Idaho Press Tribune and is available on Legacy.com

I was blessed  to work with Jeanne for many years at Simplot.   Her hard work, integrity and dedication to her customers was tip notch. Her friendship, beautiful smile and warm hugs will be missed.

Since  I heard of her passing so many memories have flooded my mind.  Fly high Jeanne.  You live on in our memories  

It is with a truly heavy heart that I reflect on the loss of my dear teammate and far more importantly, friend. I had the privilege of bonding with her over our new roles as teammates, whether through our travels, countless phone calls, navigating projects (mostly her bailing me out of a jam) or just growing together. Through every challenge, she defiantly remained a source of optimism and genuine care—a person who always put others first.

What I will miss most about her is her kindness, her thoughtfulness, and how deeply she valued everyone around her. She made damn sure people knew how she truly cared about them. Something I definitely try to adopt from of her.

I’ll never forget the warmth of her hospitality, especially when she and Joe welcomed Charles and I into their home for a comforting home-cooked meal.

Her presence brought joy to so many, and her absence will be felt just as deeply. She made me feel welcome and valued, and for that, and so much more, I will miss her very, very much. But, I will look forward to the day when I can see her and her beautiful smile again and feel the warmth of her first hug again.

My thoughts are with Joe, the girls, her family, and everyone who was blessed enough to feel her love.