Mathilda “Boots” Rose Smallwood, 71, died on April 8, at Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Prineville.

She was born in East Chicago, Ind., on Dec. 29 to Helen Edna (Perrin) and Joseph Eugene Palmonari Palmer.

In 1948, Smallwood moved to Fontana, Calif., where she was educated and graduated from high school in 1955. In the fall of 1956, she was introduced to Tom Smallwood; six months later they were married in San Bernardino, Calif., on March 1, 1957. They lived in San Bernardino until 1968.

Smallwood moved to Gladstone, where her husband worked for 1st National Bank and she raised their children. She moved to Coos Bay, in 1971, then to Springfield, and in 1980, to Burns, where she and her husband opened a Coast to Coast store. She later moved to North Bend in 1983,  then to Klamath Falls and finally to Prineville in 1987.

Smallwood enjoyed bowling, and bowled on several leagues including the Mop Droppers in Prineville. She loved to play bingo at the Prineville Senior Center and the Redmond VFW Hall, she enjoyed RVing and camping. She loved to cook and share recipes.

Smallwood was a member of the Prineville Garden Club, a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary #4108 of the Redmond VFW and the Catholic Church.

She was always happy and had a smile on her face; she was upbeat even though she was suffering from cancer.

Smallwood will be remembered as a loving mother, always writing to her children after they were grown.

Smallwood is survived by her husband, Tom Smallwood of Prineville; son, Stephen Smallwood of Burns; daughter, Kelly Lee of Prineville; sisters, Anita Cox of Bloomington, Calif., and Beverly Noble of Joshua Tree, Calif.; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by son, James; brother, Wesley Palmer; and her parents.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Smallwood’s memory may be to the Pioneer Memorial Hospice, 1201 N.E. Elm St., Prineville, OR 97754; or The American Cancer Society,  2350 Oakmount Way, Suite 200 Eugene, OR 97401; or to the Sara Fisher Memorial at St. Charles Medical Center,  2500 N.E. Neff Rd., Bend, OR 97701
Prineville Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.