Elva Marie Wright Mayes, age 85, of Anaconda and Helena, known to most as “Granny” passed away peacefully on May 20, 2014 surrounded by family at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, MT.
Elva was born in Los Angeles, California on June 29, 1928. She was the first of two children born to Alva and Augusta (Johnson) Wright.
Elva spent the majority of her life in Anaconda, MT where she and her husband Gene built a house and raised three children.
Elva was an Occupational Therapist at Warm Springs, MT until she retired in 1982. After the passing of her husband Gene, she moved to Helena to be closer to her family.
Elva’s favorite things to do in life were camping and spending time with friends and family. She loved mushroom hunting, picnics, and watching her grandchildren grow up.
Elva was an amazing woman with a huge heart. Anyone that knew her was instantly impacted by her warm smile and keen sense of humor. She was known by all as “Granny” and to her many friends at the Last Chance Casino she wanted you to know that she loved every one of you as if you were her own. Thank you for taking care of her and treating her like a “Queen”.
Elva was preceded in death by her parents, Alva and Augusta (Johnson) Wright; her in-laws, Arlis and Dorothy Mayes; her husband Gene Mayes; and her son, Greg Mayes.
Elva is survived by her daughters, Paula (John) Holmlund of Helena, MT and Peggy Mayes of Butte, MT; her brother, Bob (Norma) Wright of Streator, IL; grandchildren, Aaron (Michelle) Holmlund of Renton, WA; Kris Mayes of Butte, MT; Angie Pezdark of Butte, MT; Lisa (Jim) Sheline of Spanaway, WA; Travis Feltz of Great Falls, MT and J.D. Feltz of Butte, MT. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Ethan and Aidan Pezdark of Butte, MT; Keegan Mayes of Helena, MT; and Mel and Melissa Reyes of Spanaway, WA.
Special thanks to the wonderful doctors and nurses at St. Peter’s Hospital for everything you did for Elva and her family.
At Elva’s request there will be no public services. The family will celebrate her life at a later date. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Elva.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
Share
Cindy Keele Sanders says
To Elva’s family, so sorry for your loss. Elva was such fun, I only worked with her 10 years before she retired from the Rehab. Dept. O.T. shops at MSH. After which I got to take over her position in the Patient job program. I so enjoyed her mellow personality & approach to life. Loved working with her in our huge garden, doing it all be hand with the residents. Spent many hours on hands & knees weeding, but produced the largest cauliflower & broccoli ever! Elva made everything so interesting and fun. I’ll never forget the time she told me stories about some of the “critters” she’s eaten. She said she’d eat anything that didn’t eat her first.. It was how to survive back there.
Elva will be missed by many. God Bless her.
Margie Hamel says
Paula and the rest of the family: I am so sorry to hear that Elva has passed. I fondly think of her during the years we rode back and forth to Warm Springs to work. She was always so pleasant to be around. I guess I didn’t realize she was living over here in Helena. We could have gotten together for coffee or lunch. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Alva and your dad are together again and may they both RIP.