Ann Elizabeth Pierce passed away in the early morning hours of January 5th, 2020 at St Peter’s Hospital surrounded by family. She was just shy of 82 years old.
Ann was born on January 24th, 1938 in Boston Massachusetts to Proctor & Ella Wells. She was the youngest of three children with her older brother Bert born in 1933 and a sister, Joan born in 1935, but who died of spinal meningitis in 1936.
The family relocated to Whitefield Maine, but when times got tough in Maine the family trekked West arriving in the Bitterroot Valley when Ann was about 4 years old.
Her father became an electrician working on the various dams being built in Montana and Idaho. They moved many times while she was growing up and she attended school in Hamilton, Helena, Missoula and finally Kalispell, graduating from Flathead County High in 1956.
Ann married Jack Black of Helena on June 23rd, 1956 and they raised two children, Scott and Jackie.
After nearly 25 years of marriage, they divorced but remained close friends, devoted parents/grandparents and business partners.
In her years Ann worked as a long-distance toll operator, PBX switchboard operator, grocery checker, bookkeeper, bank teller and for 25 years with the Montana Unemployment Insurance Division until retirement in 1998.
Ann married Frank Pierce of Deer Lodge Mt in 1992 and they enjoyed dancing, horseback riding and spending time in the outdoors together until his death in 1997.
After Frank’s passing, she found her ultimate dancing partner and fishing companion in Dave Brown of Whitehall and they spent 20 years together doing just that.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents Proc and Ella Wells, sister Joan Wells, brother Bert Wells and sister in law Faye Wells.
Ann is survived by her children Jackie (Kent) Smith of Helena, Scott (Kym) Black of Billings, Grandchildren Anthony (Lyndsay) Smith, Kellie (Justin) Knapp, Tanner (Brianna) Smith, all of Helena, Kansys (Dylan) Clouse of Seaside OR & Kennedy Black of Billings. Great-grandchildren: Reinah & Bennie Knapp and Tazen & Elli Smith along with many nieces nephews cousins and countless friends.
A memorial service will be held on January 18th at 12:00 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave, Helena, MT. A reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ann’s name are suggested to Wild About Cats Rescue & Sanctuary, PO Box 7866 Helena MT 59604.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
12:00 pm
Saturday January 18, 2020
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena , MT 59601
Funeral Reception
Following the service
Saturday January 18, 2020
Social hall of Funeral home
3750 N. Montana
Helena , MT 59601
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Beth Stanfill says
Ann I am going to miss you and our conversations when you would bring Fudge ( Pudgy Fudgy as I called her) in for groomings. What are the neighborhood kitties going to do without you ……Jackie and Scott, you and your family are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Ann Dagenais says
I met Ann when I lived in Helena, we use to go to the dances together in Whitehall, we had so much fun together. I enjoyed our visits when I would visit Helena. Ann was a great friend and I will miss her a lot! I am sure Dave will miss their fishing trips and dances as well. My condolences to all of her friends and family from all of the Dagenais Family.
Julie DeMars says
Scott and Family,
I’m so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I will be keeping you all close in thought and prayer during this trying time. May your beautiful mom rest in eternal peace.
CHILLOA A YOUNG says
Ann’s East Coast family will miss her – especially when we are fishing. I think those were her happiest times in Maine; fishing with Faye and competing with “The Boys.” Her beautiful smile, unique voice and wonderful personality will be greatly missed.
I know she is up there now with Proc, Ella, Dad and “Sister West.” We love you Ann.
Chilloa & Family
Jerry and Joan Eaton says
Ann and I worked together at the Department of Employment Security office. We traveled together to local offices around the State to conduct training and other duties. We found many different restaurants to try. I’ m so sorry for her loss. Dance with the angels, Ann.
Joan Eaton
Colleen Teberg says
Jackie, I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. I enjoyed working and bowling with her many years ago and reconnecting a few years ago in our Survivors Group. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mike & Margaret Foster says
We first met Ann when we moved in next door to her almost 40 years ago. It was a friendship that was forged from the 1st time we met! Even after we moved away, whenever we would see one another we picked up right where we left off. Ironically on those meetings, even though we may not have seen each other for over a year, it seemed that our love for one another had actually grown stronger. Ann you will be sorely missed!