Shirley Jean Smith (Porter)
Shirley Jean Smith (Porter), cherished wife, mother, grandmother,
great-grandmother and successful entrepreneur, peacefully passed away
on Feb. 4, 2024, in Evergreen, at the age of 82. Shirley was born on July
15, 1941, to Dorothy Ruth Goldie and Frank Andrew Porter.
most recent successful
bear hunt. Shirley also
enjoyed pastimes such as
recounting her early life
stories to her many de-
scendants.
Shirley’s journey began in New Castle, where she spent her first 18
years laying the foundation for a life filled with love and accomplish-
ment. It was during her time at Colorado State University in Fort Collins
that she met the love of her life, Edward E Smith, on a blind date. They
were married on July 23, 1961, and enjoyed 62 years of marriage togeth-
er, residing in Evergreen. It was there that they built a home together,
figuratively and quite literally — with logs they processed and trucked
over from their ranch in New Castle, Bearpen Ranch.
Friends and family
are invited to pay their
respects at the funeral
services on February 16,
2024, at Three Trees
Chapel, 13416 W Arbor
Place, Littleton, CO 80127.
The viewing will begin at
9 a.m., followed by the
service at 10 a.m.
Survived by her devoted husband, Edward E Smith, Shirley leaves be-
hind a legacy of love and kindness. She is also survived by her four chil-
dren Raymond E Smith, Sherell J Smith, Timothy G Smith, and Ulbert
Shane Smith. Shirley was a dedicated wife and mother who poured her
heart into her family, and her memory will live on in the hearts of her 11
grandchildren and 11 (soon to be 12)
great-grandchildren.
TOP:
Shirley
harvested
this deer
herself.
Shirley will be remembered for her generous spirit, un-
wavering love for her family,
and the positive impact she
had on the lives of everyone
around her. May she rest in
peace, forever surrounded
by the love she so freely gave
throughout her remarkable
life.
As an accomplished entrepre-
neur, Shirley successfully managed
a laundromat, several retail busi-
nesses, the Wild Card and Sasquatch
casinos, and the Squatch Gas Sta-
tion, leaving an indelible mark on the
local business landscapes in Gilpin
and Clear Creek counties. A lifelong
hunter, Shirley was 80 during her
Several members
of the Smith
family would drive
to Canada for
hunting trips
including this
trip in 1980 when
Shirley bagged
this bear.
LEFT: Shirley doing one of the
things she loved — riding a four-
wheeler on the ranch in New
Castle. After a fun-filled day of
four-wheeling she would end the
day with a big family meal with
Pepsi for everyone!
The old Jenkins, McKay Hardware building became the current Sasquatch Casino on
Gregory Street in Black Hawk.
TOP: Ed
and Shirley
Smith in the
casino with
Sasquatch.
RIGHT: The
Smith fam-
ily together.
Shirley
is seated
second from
the right.
Photos
courtesy
the Smith
