COEUR d’ALENE — When David Gray began singing “Spirit in the Sky,” his wife, Cathy Gray, grabbed a tambourine and joined him.

She swayed and smiled, shuffling her feet Friday evening as music filled the downstairs of the Coeur d’Alene Eagles on Sherman Avenue. When they finished, the crowd applauded and shouted, and David Gray nodded in appreciation.

That one was for Barb Smalley.

“For a lady who deserves the best,” he said.

About 350 people attended the event, a fundraiser for the Coeur d'Alene woman who has been battling cancer for more than a year.

The event included a spaghetti dinner, silent auction and entertainment. Baskets around the room for donations were filled with $10 and $20 bills to help with Smalley’s expenses while in Seattle for cancer treatment.

Cathy Gray, president of the Coeur d’Alene Eagles Auxiliary that organized the fundraiser, said Smalley is an “amazing, wonderful lady, so kind, always helping.”

“We had to do this for her,” she said.

Laura LaChapelle, an organizer, said Smalley has always been willing to jump in and has the unique ability to attract others to join her.

“She just kind of sucks you in with her personality and her smile," LaChapelle said.

Smalley worked at The Coeur d’Alene Press for about 10 years before taking a role as development director with St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho. She is known for her positive attitude and willingness to get involved whenever and wherever needed.

She retired in May 2022 and about a month later was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, a cancer of the bone marrow and blood that progresses quickly, according to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

In the ensuing months, she underwent chemotherapy and faced additional challenges, including contracting COVID, and nearly died.

"I've had a few close calls along the way,” Smalley said.

She traveled to Seattle for stem cell transplant surgery earlier this year, but complications arose when cancer cells were detected.

In June 2023, she underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor, which caused facial droop.

Still, she stayed the course.

“There are no words for how much she’s been through,” said her daughter, Jessica McGreal. “All things considered, she’s doing well.”

McGreal was touched by the outpouring of support for her mom, but not surprised to see such a turnout at the Eagles.

“She’s so involved in the community,” McGreal said. “She’s usually working at these events, so it’s weird that she's not here.”

Her mom wishes she could have been and loves being around people. Smalley has been determined to stand strong and shared many posts on Facebook.

On Oct. 19 she wrote: "My best advice today. Appreciate the little things, like walking and eating and hugging those around you. I can feel your virtual hugs and am blessed."

Oct. 28: "My birthday gift yesterday was allowing me an opportunity to help others through my struggles live longer. I could not have done this without your incredible support and never ending love. Thank you. I am not giving up."

Nov. 9, she wrote of losing her hair and being thankful for hats and scarves: “There is beauty all around us."

Nov. 23: ”Happy Thanksgiving! ‘Tis the season to appreciate our many blessings.”

McGreal said her mom is confident she’ll regain her health and soon return home.

Smalley is being treated at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center that's part of the University of Washington Medical Center. She was grateful for the fundraiser and said it strengthens her.

“I appreciate the community support,” Smalley said Monday during a phone interview.

She is undergoing CAR (Chimeric antigen receptor ) T-cell therapy, which is “a way to get immune cells called T cells to fight cancer by changing them in the lab so they can find and destroy cancer cells,” according to the America Cancer Society.

“Hopefully, that will destroy any cancer that’s left,” Smalley said.

Smalley admits it’s been a rough road, but knowing so many are rooting for her has made a difference. She said she has tried to have a positive impact on her community.

“I intend to keep doing that,” Smalley said.

Debbie Magnuson has known Smalley for about 25 years. She described her as giving, loving and kind.

“All she wants to do is help the community and everybody around her,” Magnuson said. “That’s why everybody comes out to help her right now.”

Magnuson said she is blessed to have Smalley as a friend.

“Anybody would want her in their life," she said.

    Hundreds of tickets were sold for the Barb Smalley fundraiser on Friday.
  

    The crowd enjoys the fundraiser for Barb Smalley on Friday at the Eagles in Coeur d'Alene.