Beth Smyth Gibson

Beth Smyth Gibson of Tres Ritos, NM  died on April 30th, 2021 in Taos, NM. She was born on July 5th, 1932 in Houston, TX to Inez Mills Smyth and Murray Green Smyth.  As a young woman she excelled in dancing, swimming, tennis, and horsemanship. She enjoyed spending time on the family ranches near Uvalde, TX with her grandparents, delighted in family trips to the ancient sites of Mexico and across the American West, and loved the challenge of summiting peaks. She became a riding instructor at Camp Waldemar in the hill country of Texas and spent a summer teaching children to swim. Attending the University of Texas at Austin she graduated with a Plan II honors degree focusing upon the anthropology of Native North and South American cultures. In 1953 she married William W. Gibson, Jr. of Amarillo, TX. They lived in Amarillo until 1965 and then moved to Austin, TX to raise their four children. Loving all animals, she enjoyed volunteering at the National Zoo during the two years she lived in the Washington,  D.C. area.  Beth devoted her life to her husband and her children. From her first visit to Tres Ritos in 1951, the mountains enchanted her. Every year, the family would make multiple trips to Tres Ritos, going on long backpacking and camping trips that Beth's meticulously planned and made possible. In 1999, Bill and Beth were able to make Tres Ritos their permanent home. She loved hiking the trails of Agua Sarca, Agua Piedra, and La Cueva with her rescued mountain dog, Jessica. She was also an avid runner. Daily she would run up La Junta Canyon to altitudes of above 9000 ft. She participated in many Taos Marathons. Thirty seven years ago she discovered a spiritual path that led her to live one day at a time, doing the next right thing. Many have been positively influenced by her life example.  In the end, her loving God received her. She is survived by her husband Bill, her four children, Bill III, Michael, Timothy, and Elizabeth along with 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. In remembrance of her, the family prefers friends and loved ones select a charity of their choice . The family of Beth Smyth Gibson has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. www.devargastaos.com 1-866-657-4019