Echolyn Lee Travis passed away peacefully on the afternoon of May 18, 2021 after a brief illness, surrounded by her loving family. She was 87 years old.
Echolyn was the first child of Elton and Janet Lee, born among the orange groves of Delano, California on March 13, 1934. Most of her early years were spent in Minot, North Dakota.
During her teenage years, Echolyn moved with her family to Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front in Fairfield where her parents realized their dream of owning a small farm. She excelled in school, particularly in music, starting piano lessons in grade school, and playing the sousaphone in high school band.
Echolyn attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota; then the University of Montana, ultimately attaining a Bachelor’s in Music Education in 1956.
Music remained a passion for the remainder of Echolyn’s life, teaching private piano lessons, public school music, serving as church choral director, and being a longtime member of the Helena Symphony Chorale. She was well liked by her many students. She also influenced and encouraged the musical interests of her own children. For many years she was a member of the Montana Music Teachers Association.
Echolyn’s faith was primary in her life and manifested in her church music contributions.
Her adult life was spent in Alaska, Washington, and mostly Montana. Her last 52 years were spent in Clancy, Montana where she developed many close friendships. She was a many year member of the Clancy Goddesses Aerobics Group. In her middle years she enjoyed international travel visiting Australia, Mexico, Norway, Italy, and Switzerland.
Echolyn loved Montana greatly and pursued many outdoor adventures. She participated in many multiday family canoe trips on the Missouri and Marias Rivers. Hiking was also a favorite; she summited Mount Aeneas in the Swan Range later in life. Many winter cross country ski trips were enjoyed, staying with family in forest service cabins such as the o ld Condon Ranger Station, Ford Cabin, Monture Guard Station, among others.
Flathead Lake was a very special place for Echolyn, spending time and creating memories at her parents’ homes on the lake at Polson and Somers. She ultimately acquired her own lake cabin on the west shore, facing Wild Horse Island, in 1995. This was the location of many wonderful lake adventures and family celebrations over the course of 21 years. She pursued a dream of learning to sail, buying a sailboat and catching the wind in Big Arm Bay for many years.
Echolyn’s love of horses and riding were well known. When younger, she competed in barrel racing, including at the Augusta Rodeo, Flag Presentation with a drill team at the Last Chance Stampede in Helena, and many rides in the beautiful hills around Clancy astride her horse Snickers.
Echolyn will be remembered as a very strong and loving person with boundless energy, who gave herself immensely to her family and friends. She was an exceptional person and will be truly missed.
Echolyn was preceded in passing by her sister, Carolyn; brother, Delmar; parents, Elton and Janet Lee; and her son-in-law, Mark Pfankuch.
She is survived by her ex-husband, Kenneth Travis; her children, Lori Pfankuch, Lee Travis, JoDel Travis, Paul (Samantha) Travis, David Travis; as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Flathead Land Trust, 670 N Meridian Rd, # 207, Kalispell, MT 59901, or the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, 10 Hungry Horse Dr, Hungry Horse, MT 59919.
The family would like to express their deep gratitude for the care provided to Echolyn and her family by the physicians, nurses, and other staff at St. Peter’s Health.
Family and friends are invited to a Funeral and Celebration of Echolyn’s life at the Clancy United Methodist Church, 2 N Main St, on Thursday, May 27, from 5-7pm for a public Visitation. The Funeral Service will take place the following day, Friday, May 28, at 9:30a.m. at the same location. Following the service, everyone is encouraged to stay for a Reception at the church. Procession to the Missoula City Cemetery will leave promptly at Noon for a Graveside Burial at 2:30p.m.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Thursday May 27, 2021
Clancy United Methodist Church
2 N Main St
Clancy, Montana 59634
Funeral Service
9:30 AM
Friday May 28, 2021
Clancy United Methodist Church
2 N Main St
Clancy, Montana 59634
Reception
Following Funeral Service
Friday May 28, 2021
Clancy United Methodist Church
2 N Main St
Clancy, Montana 59634
Funeral Procession to Cemetery
12:00 pm
Friday May 28, 2021
Missoula City Cemetery
2000 Cemetery Rd
Missoula, Montana 59802
Burial
2:30 pm
Friday May 28, 2021
Missoula City Cemetery
2000 Cemetery Rd
Missoula, Montana 59802
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Thursday May 27, 2021
Clancy United Methodist Church
2 N Main St
Clancy, Montana 59634
Funeral Service
9:30 AM
Friday May 28, 2021
Clancy United Methodist Church
2 N Main St
Clancy, Montana 59634
Reception
Following Funeral Service
Friday May 28, 2021
Clancy United Methodist Church
2 N Main St
Clancy, Montana 59634
Funeral Procession to Cemetery
12:00 pm
Friday May 28, 2021
Missoula City Cemetery
2000 Cemetery Rd
Missoula, Montana 59802
Burial
2:30 pm
Friday May 28, 2021
Missoula City Cemetery
2000 Cemetery Rd
Missoula, Montana 59802
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Tom Reilly says
Lee and Family,
‘Sorry to know of your Mom’s passing. It has been many, many years since we were in grade school at Clancy, but I remember her well. Take care and the best you and all of her family.
Tom
Creede and Jill Caldwell says
Echolyn was very special in so many ways. She taught Creede piano for several years and graciously helped orchestrate his senior recital. Her love of music was infectious and she radiated Christian love to everyone she met. We are grateful to have known her, and we offer our sincere condolences to her family.
BOB AND BARBARA MARKS says
BLESSINGS AND CONDOLANCES TO THE TRAVIS FAMILY. ECHOLYN WAS OUR NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR FOR SEVERAL DECADES. AND OUR FAMILY BENEFITTED FROM ECHOLYN’S PIANO LESSONS. THE CLANCY COMMUNITY WILL MISS HER.
BOB AND BARBARA MARKS
Lisa Gault says
I’ll miss seeing Echolyn around town and seeing her as part of the Clancy Goddesses. She taught me how to play the piano and she was such a gentle spirit. Always friendly and smiling.
Kathy Olson says
I loved Echolyn so much. She was my choir director for many years. She was always gentle, patient and kind. Your family is in my prayers.
Annette Wakefield says
I fondly remember Echolyn as my choir director. She was talented, always kind and patient. A sweet lady. I also remember her giving countless piano lessons at our church. I know you will miss her greatly. My prayers are with you.
Clint Anderson says
Lee, so sorry to hear of your moms passing. Hope this finds you and the rest of your family doing well. Take care..
Ronald Williams says
We want to add our condolances to the Travis Family in their loss of Echolyn. We enjoyed knowing her throughout the years and our boys enjoyed taking piano lessons from her. She will be missed!
Ron & Kathleen Williams
Videll Nordmark says
I am so sorry to learn of Echolyn’s passing. We had very special times together throughout many years—weddings, funerals, Lee’s medical school graduation, Echolyns, Jerry’s and my trip to Norway, and many more. Nancy and I would like to have attended her services and to see all of you but it is a very busy time here. We are hoping we can make a trip your way this summer.
Love to all of you,
Videll
Deanna Johnson says
Echolyn was such a committed member of the Symphony Chorale. I remember when we went to digital management she would come visit me at my office so she could make sure she was signed up properly, never once complaining. She was so kind and gracious. I am so sorry for your loss.
Chris Deveny says
It was always such a pleasure to sing next to Echolyn in the alto section of the Helena Symphony Chorale. She was a delightful person. My condolences.
June says
I knew and enjoyed Echolyn from the Helena Music Teachers’ Association and the Helena Symphony Chorale. She was a very welcoming person when I first moved to the area. I would have attended her service if I hadn’t been travelling.
Karla, Jay and Laurin Hart says
We were so blessed to have Echolyn as our piano teacher for our daughter, Laurin for 8 years. Her gentle, kind ways were a perfect match for Laurin. I loved all the Christmas recitals at her house, with each of the kids playing piano, singing Christmas carols- it was a perfect way to get in the Christmas spirit. Echolyn was such a pleasant, kind person- our condolences to all the Travis family.
Barbara (Price) Wood says
I found I have just found this, and I am so sorry to hear of Mrs Travis’s passing. She was my piano teacher for several years. I still remember walking to and from the house before and after every lesson. I also remember babysitting the younger Travis children, JoDel, Paul and David. Lori, Lee and everyone, I am so sorry for your loss. She will always hold a special place in my heart and my memories.