Eldora F. McBride a longtime resident of Helena died on Friday, July 18, 2014 in Boise, Idaho at the age of 91. She was born January 4, 1923 in Helena to John F. and Esther E. (Samson) McBride.
She attended Northern Montana College and later the University of Colorado where she received her B.A. Degree. She served in the United States Navy during World War II. She taught Medical Secretarial courses at Rochester, Minnesota Junior College. She taught business education courses at the Helena Business College and adult evening education classes in Helena for many years. She was associated in Helena with Norwest Capital Management and Trust Company, now known as Wells Fargo Private Bank Client Services for Thirty-four years and she retired in 1985 as Corporate Secretary and Trust Officer.
She was a member of the American Association of University Women, Helena Legal Secretaries Association, Helena League of Women Voters, Sapphira Temple #79 Daughters of the Nile, Helena Council Navy League of the United States and the Metropolitan Dinner Club. She was a past President of Soroptimist International Heritage Club of Helena. The Soroptimist Club she enjoyed tremendously.
Upon Eldora’s passing, she had bequeathed several Charitable Endowment Gifts; one to the Montana State University-Northern Foundation to establish an endowed scholarship fund to be known as the Esther E., John F., and Eldora F. McBride Endowed Scholarship; and the second, the McBride Family Foundation for the Community of Helena.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John F. McBride and Esther E. McBride and sister, Esther May McBride.
A private graveside service will be at Forestvale Cemetery. Come join friends at a social gathering and luncheon remembering Eldora in the social center of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, July 25th. In Memory, a memorial can be given to a charity of your choice.
Sandi Benson says
I will always remember Eldora as she was such a kind and thoughtful person. I enjoyed talking with her during the time I knew her at Soroptimist Heritage Club of Helena. She was a beautiful soul. “God Bless”
Bill Miles says
A good friend and classmate in the 1940’s.
Eldora was active in many charities. We served together for many years on the Forestvale Cemetery Board, and the Helena Food Share She always was cheery, and had a good word for anyone. Bill Miles…
Crystal Wong Shors says
I met Eldora in the 1970s at the bank. Always the business professional, she was dressed to the nines
for work every day. She could move faster in high heels than anyone I knew. Later, she was a leader in the Soroptimist organization working with fund raising for student scholarships. It’s fitting that her philanthropy for the community continues. It was a pleasure knowing Eldora.
Bev St. Cyr says
I met Eldora when she encouraged me to join the Heritage Soropitimist Club in 1994. She was a special lady who could outsell all of us at our estate sales and was the club leader in selling raffle tickets for the Appreciation Luncheon. She made a difference in my life and I will always remember her love for Helena and Heritage Soroptimists.
Terry (Baer) Sampson says
Eudora was one of the kindest women with whom I worked at Norwest Trust in Helena. She was beautiful in every way and it was a privilege to know her.
Richard Walker says
Her name was not “Eudora”, whomever Terry (Baer) Sampson is; it was ELDORA FRANCES MCBRIDE. Eldora was a beautiful and extraordinarily gracious being that welcomed me in, after my parents utterly failed at love and kindness.
Someone says
Eldora F. McBride was my absolute go-to; one of the most overwhelmingly loving and exceptional people that I’ll ever know.