Brynne Alana Smith

January 26, 1988 – September 21, 2013

Brynne Alana Smith, the vivacious 25-year-old daughter of Gregg and Sharon Smith, Bend, Oregon, died September 21 in a helicopter crash on a return flight to Scottsdale Airport after attending an event at Sedona Airport. Brynne was born in Phoenix and lived in Scottsdale most of her life.

As nearly everyone has said to her grieving parents, “Brynne was a beautiful girl, inside and out.” Graced with physical beauty, her kind and giving heart was even more visible to all who knew her. She was a caring daughter, whose last contact with her parents was the night before in a text message telling each of them “I love you!”

With a gorgeous smile and gentle spirit, boys couldn’t help but fall in love with Brynne, easily and often. (Well, really, everyone did.) Her many girlfriends loved her positive attitude, generosity and fierce loyalty.

Committed to being active and maintaining a healthy mind and body, Brynne was devoted to CrossFit training and was hoping to enter bodybuilding contests. (If she could ever find time after her long days as administrative assistant at Colony American Homes and classes with the University of Phoenix.)

Brynne’s greatest joy was scuba diving with her dad in exotic locales. Brynne and her mother loved to lie in bed watching their favorite TV shows and eating frozen yogurt, playing bingo, enjoying happy hours and shopping. From an early age, Brynne displayed a flair for fashion and a distinctive style. And, yes, she loved her Cardinals, fantasy football, and animals, especially her beautiful brindle boxer, Jax.

Brynne’s favorite song, John Lennon’s “Imagine,” so moved her that she tattooed the title on her back. The lyrics held great meaning for her, “You, you may say I’m a dreamer. But I’m not the only one. I hope someday you will join us. And the world will live as one.”

In addition to her parents, two brothers, Scott Shopper and Troy Smith; sister-in-law Stacey Smith, sister Shannon Carpenter; grandmother, Mary Smith; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews around the country, survive Brynne.

A memorial service to honor Brynne’s life will be held on Saturday, September 28, at 3 p.m., at the Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd in Scottsdale. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in the name of Brynne Smith to the Humane Society of Central Oregon.