Armelda Mae (Phillips) Sassano passed away on March 18, 2013 at the age of 84. She was born March 15, 1929, the fifth child and only daughter of William C. and Julia S. Hackert Phillips. She grew up in the house she was born in (212 3rd Ave) in Laurel, MT. After graduating from Laurel High School she attended Saint Mary College in Leavenworth, Kansas graduating in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. While attending college, she sang in the choir and recorded her only record. In 1952 she finished her internship at St Vincent’s Hospital in Billings, MT as a medical technician and was in charge of a their blood bank until June 1953.
On June 20, 1953, she married Michael Sassano at St Patrick’s Church in Billings, Mt. They were married 56 years when Mike passed away April 1, 2010. After Mike retired in 1982 from “Ma Bell”, they divided their time between home and the family cabin on Canyon Ferry Lake, MT. Armelda is preceded in death by her parents and husband, daughters Mary Jo (age 3), Julie Robbins (age 54), and her brothers William Hackert, Clifford Henry, Harry Elmer, Rudy Lee, and James Jay Phillips. She is survived by her children Nikki DeWolf (Joe), Gina Dowdy (Mark), Pat Sassano (Amy) all of Helena, MT; Jan Funston (Dan) of White Sulphur Springs MT; and Mike Sassano (Deb) of Ft Bragg, NC. Armelda is also survived by her grandchildren Ray Carlson; Ian Anderson, Kristina Robbins, Kacey Robbins Boyle (Tim); Brian and Paul Kalgaard; Michaela, Connor, Josephine, Luke and Will Dowdy; Colin, Cale and Cohen Sassano; Alexander and Angelina Sassano; and three great grandsons Robert and Wesley Carlson, and Parker Boyle; and numerous nieces and nephews, and cousins.
In the early years, Armelda and Mike loved their Sunhaven coffee group; and then in the later years, they organized their church coffee group of St. Helena Cathedral that met after morning mass. Bridge was another passion of Armelda’s. She loved her bridge groups, playing at the Eagle’s, hosting bridge games at home, and teaching bridge to anyone willing to learn. Armelda’s civic pride inspired her to serve as an election judge for her precinct for many years; and she volunteered for and attended the Community Concert/Live at the Civic series for over 30 years. Armelda was active in the Helena Citizens Council and fought the zoning for the south end of Sunhaven for residential growth as it was originally zoned for light commercial up to the railroad tracks. She volunteered to serve in many capacities at St Helena Cathedral such as CCD Leader during the home school program, lector at mass, organized and managed funeral receptions in the basement of the Cathedral, leader for the Blue Birds organization, and supported and participated in soup and bread on Wednesdays during lent.
Armelda found her greatest happiness in spending time with her family and summers at the family cabin. She was an avid sports fan, along with Mike, and followed all games and practices of their children and grandchildren’s sports activities. Armelda and Mike attended all Carroll College, Capital, and Helena High School sporting events; and when they lost their mobility in later years they listened to all the games on the radio. Family, friends, and the community will miss her infectious smile, heartfelt stories, and her ability to bring people together to celebrate anything fun.
A Vigil will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, March 25, 2013 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A Funeral Mass is scheduled at 12 noon, Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at the Cathedral of St. Helena with a reception to follow the service at the Brondel Center in the lower level of the cathedral. Interment will immediately follow the reception at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. Memorials may be sent in Armelda’s name to the St. Peters Cancer Center, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601.
Service Schedule
Viewing
12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m
Monday March 25, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 North Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Vigil
to 6:00 p.m.
Monday March 25, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 North Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Mass of Christian Burial
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday March 26, 2013
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing
Helena, MT 59601
Graveside Service
2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m
Tuesday March 26, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison
Helena, MT 59602
Service Schedule
Viewing
12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m
Monday March 25, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 North Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Vigil
to 6:00 p.m.
Monday March 25, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 North Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Mass of Christian Burial
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday March 26, 2013
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing
Helena, MT 59601
Graveside Service
2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m
Tuesday March 26, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison
Helena, MT 59602
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Nick and Jeanine Conway says
COL Dewolf-
Sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Tom Erving says
To the Sassano family, your Mom held a special place in my heart. It was always a joy to see her, no matter where it was. Your Mom and Dad were simply the best people ever. You know how proud they are of the family they raised and will part of your lives forever. My deepest sympathy. Tom Erving
Edwina and Tony Strainer says
Nikki and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Edwina and Tony Strainer
Deacon Tom & Barb Niemann says
Nikki & Joe and all the great family of Armelda…
We will never forget the great memories Armelda shared with all her stories of
faith, family and friends….with those great memories she will never really be gone but missed …..our prayers are with you all…
Mike DaSilva says
Kids,
I was so sad to hear that your Mom died. She was a special friend. Always had good things to say about everyone . She was very Thoughtful. Once in a while when Armelda made bean soup or a pot of beans, she would call me to come and get some because she knew I liked beans and Judy didn’t, so Judy, never cooked them. You kids were very lucky to have Mike and Armelda for parents. They were good friends and are missed. I will not be able to come the celebrations of your Mom’s life, I will be there in spirit God bless you and your families.
Hector Barajas-Varela says
My condolences to the Sassano Familiy.
It’s a blessing to have great people in our lives ,
Especially people that show us love and when we can have fond memories. So we are thankful for those moments
and for the legacy and impact she had on people. I served with Michael Sassano and I can attest to his great leadership skills and care of his troops that i’m sure was passed down from his mother and people around him.
The family will be in my prayers this morning. My deepest sympathy to all who had contact with this wonderful lady,
God bless,
Jean DeGroat says
Have many fond memories of your Mother. We were neighbors for many years in Sunhaven.
Nicki and Julie were babysitters for us.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you
Janie Hakert says
Hello Sassano Family:
You probably do not know of me but I am a bit of a relative of yours in Billings. My father Arthur Hakert and your mother Armelda were cousins. I just wanted you to know how saddened I was to learn of your loss. Your Mother was dear and I loved to hear her stories of the family and especially about Aunt Julia at our family reunions in Buffalo. Your Mother and her parents came to my parents wedding at St. Patrick`s in Billings and told stories of how they had a great time. It meant so much to my father that they came and I still have the pillowcases with kluney lace that Aunt Julia made as their wedding gift. I am certain there is a wonderful family reunion now in heaven with your Mother and Father there together as well as my parents and family. You are in my prayers — Janie Hakert
LARRY AND Kathy Brown says
Nikki and Joe so sorry for your mom’s passing, Nikki she was so much a part of my childhood, she was my 2nd mom on Holter Street I will never forget the Red Velvet Birthday cakes with money hidden inside, lots of found memories of your mom as a child, you will be in our thoughts and prayers luv ya
Beth Cochran says
My condolences Gina, again, to you and your family. I didn’t know your mom but in reading your her obituary I wish I had. What a beautiful tribute. Her life describes a perfect example of a wife, mother, Christian and citizen. The world lost a beautiful soul. God bless you.
Billie and Frank Houle says
You that we loved Armelda, in fact we loved both of your parents. Mike and Armelda were truly the salt of the earth, fine people. Frank and I are sorry that we will not be able attend the service tomorrow. It would have been nice to visit with all of you. Sincerely, Billie and Frank
Phil Chambers says
Dear Sassano Family,
I am sorry for your loss and will pray for you during this difficult time.
Mary and Dan Hoyrup says
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. I spent many a pleasant hour playing bridge with Armelda.