Patricia Susan Smith Reckling

1946 ~ 2026

Patricia Susan Reckling passed away peacefully on January 3, 2026, due to natural causes.

Pat was born on July 26, 1946, in Huntington Beach, California, to Harold and Helen Smith. She graduated from Corona del Mar High School in 1965 and then attended and graduated from the prestigious Mary Kawakami College of Beauty in 1966. She also took classes at BYU. Pat loved doing hair and later opened her own hair shop in Provo, Utah. While living in Provo, she met and married Jared Reckling. Together they welcomed their greatest joy, a son, Jeremy, who they loved and adored.

Pat spent many years waitressing at various restaurants including Coachmans and Joe Vera’s, with the majority of her time at Riverside Country Club in Provo. She loved waitressing. Later in life, she cared for Mary Kawakami and then for her dear friend, Deb Hofheins. That care grew into a lasting friendship, with Deb and her husband Leonard taking Pat each week to Aveda for her hair appointment, followed by lunch together. It became the highlight of Pat’s week.

Pat was a deeply caring person who valued the relationships she built throughout her life. She had a big heart and loved helping and serving others. She treated everyone with love and respect, without judgment. She found her greatest happiness in serving those around her. Pat was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a love for the temple.

Pat loved the beach and any body of water. She enjoyed skiing, fishing, and camping, as well as collecting knickknacks, attending concerts, and traveling with her sisters. She cherished spending time with her parents and loved living just downstairs from them for many years. Pat adored spoiling her four grandchildren and attended as many of their events as possible. She also loved spoiling her nieces and nephews, proudly embracing her role as the “fun one.” Pat was spunky and feisty, full of life, and always made those around her laugh. She was a hard worker who worried more about others than herself. She will be deeply missed, along with the joy she brought into the world.

Pat is survived by her son, Jeremy (Heidi) Reckling; her grandchildren, Jayden Reckling, Neleah Reckling, Layn Reckling, and Dylan Reckling; her sisters, Linda (Milo) Muhlestein and Merialice (Randy) Stoddard; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Helen Smith; her husband, Jared Reckling; and her sister, Penney Griffith.

A celebration of life will be held for our beautiful mom, grandma, and sister on Friday, January 9, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the Pleasant Grove Garden Stake Center located at, 1028 West 1000 North, Pleasant Grove, Utah. A visitation will be held at the same location prior to the service from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. Interment will take place at Park City Cemetery.