Frances A. Malee (Stebbins) was born December 11, 1931 in Billings, MT to Walter P. Stebbins and Nellie (Burns) Stebbins. Frances graduated from Carroll College Nursing School in 1952 and in 1955 she married, Thomas M. Malee. They traveled Montana following their careers and passions while starting a family. They moved to Helena, MT in 1969 and decided to stay.
Frances walked gracefully toward the gates of Heaven on the early morning hours of October 5, 2013. Frances was welcomed by parents Walter and Nellie Stebbins, sister Helen Weidinger, grandson Sean Murray and granddaughter Alicia Malee.
Survived by her husband, Thomas M. Malee, children: Jackie Malee, Sibley Malee-Ligas (John), Thomas M. Malee II (Cathee), Patrick Malee (Edilene), eight grand-children (DJ Murray, Briane Murray, Allie Ligas, Zane Ligas, Bryan Downs, Broderyk Malee, Eilys Malee, Bradyn Malee), and three great-grandchildren (Star Murray, Devin Murray, Brendan Murray), along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Frances lived life as a compassionate pediatric nurse, loving wife, patient and understanding mother, mischievous grandmother, and optimistic friend to all. Her blue eyes sparkled with laughter and radiated pride over everyone’s accomplishments. She’ll be remembered for a calm nature, faithful spirit, contagious laugh, kind heart, and enduring strength as a pillar of the Malee family. She took great joy creating a legacy of strong, educated women with quiet leadership and support. Her strong Catholic faith built the morals and ethics of three generations. She went by many names; Fran, Frances, Nurse Fran, Mom, Grandma, Grams, Granny-Good-Witch, and Grandma Friend. She carried all names with dignity and grace. Her legacy will live on and her family will eat a cookie or slice of pie with coffee in the morning- just as she enjoyed.
A Vigil service will be 5:00 p.m. Thursday, October 10, 2013 at Saint Mary Catholic Community, 1700 Missoula Avenue. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 11, 2013 at Saint Mary Catholic Community. Burial will follow at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison, Montana. A reception will then be held in the social center of Saint Mary Catholic Community.
Service Schedule
Vigil
5:00 p.m.
Thursday October 10, 2013
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
1:00 p.m.
Friday October 11, 2013
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Following the Funeral Mass
Friday October 11, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Funeral Reception
Immediately following the Rite of Committal
Friday October 11, 2013
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Vigil
5:00 p.m.
Thursday October 10, 2013
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
1:00 p.m.
Friday October 11, 2013
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Following the Funeral Mass
Friday October 11, 2013
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Funeral Reception
Immediately following the Rite of Committal
Friday October 11, 2013
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
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Eugene Koch says
It is with extreme sorrow that I read of Fran’s passing. She was such a great lady, very cheery and always smiling with a twinkle in her eyes. My sincere condolences to her family. May God be with you during your time of loss and sorrow.
Nancy (Weidinger) Clark says
Uncle Tom and family, my heart breaks for you. Aunt Fran was always one of my favorites. Even more special to me because she is my God Mother.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. May you find comfort in your many great memories of a very special lady. May God give you comfort and peace during this difficult time.
Much love and prayers
Nancy, Ken, and family
Carol Weidinger says
Words cannot express our deep sorrow for the loss of our beloved Aunt Frances. Our hearts go out to Tom and all of the family. We are even more sad because we cannot be there to say goodbye. We will be there in our hearts, and our prayers go out to all who loved her as we did. Heaven has welcomed another angel. Rest in Peace, Frances.
Love to you all,
Dan and Carol
Don and Donna Paul says
Having worked with Fran at the Children’s Clinic I will always remember her caring ways with all the families she came in contact with. Most phone calls were for her as she could always put a frantic parent at ease about their sick child.
I saw her several times in September and as always her caring ways was still very apparent. It is our loss on earth but the good Lord’s gain to have this angel on his side.
Lois DeFord says
My deepest sympathy to the family.
Briane Murray says
She made the best burn-bottom cookies and she always made me smile! The sky will never be as blue and my heart will never be the same. But I guess it was time to share her with my brother Sean in heaven as I now understand how hard it is to be without her. So I truly hope they are having a wonderful time now that they are reunited.
Anne Krajcovic says
Jackie and family,
So very sorry for the loss of your mom. May all the good memories help you through this time.
Craig Kirwin says
Goodbye Mrs. Malee. You were a wonderful lady.
Leona Zaharko says
I met Frances and Tom at the Early Bird Café having breakfast on Sunday mornings. What wonderful people they were. We always shared life and hugs. I will truly miss Frances. Tom, I dearly love you
Kathy Crowe says
I will always remember Aunt Frances’s sparkling smile, compassion, love and her interest in
everyone and how we were doing and how our families were doing. She just would never
bring attention to herself! I will truly miss her. For all the family and friends she has left
behind, I wish you my sincerest condolences. Uncle Tom, please hug yourself for me and I will
be there on Friday to celebrate Frances’ LIFE!
Darlene Davis and Kerry Coulter says
Tom,
We are so sorry for your loss, we are thinking about you and wishing you peace and gentle comfort. With Sympathy to you and your family. Darlene & Kerry (Military Order of the Purple Heart)
Linda Cook says
Frances was the most wonderful Aunt anyone could ask for. Her kindness and thoughtfulness so much appreciated. Tom and family my wish for you is to always hold all the memories in you heart. I know when you look up at the night skies you will always have your star in the sky beaming light on you. I will miss Aunt Fran’s cookies and laughter! Hugs and God Bless. Love Always Linda
Karen Eck Sawyer says
Dear Jackie,
I am so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I only remember meeting her a couple of times but she was always so sweet and kind. Please give my condolences to your dad and the rest of your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Hope we can re- connect sometime in the future.
Kendall and Caryn Goodian says
Tom and Family
Our sympathy and condolences on the passing of your wife and mother.
Kendall and Caryn
Louise Fenner says
Kathy, Charlie, Dave and I will never forget all the kindnesses Fran did for our mother Leona. Mom treasured her friendship with Fran and Tom, all the wonderful things they did, Easter and Thanksgiving dinners, the Biscuit Club, and just the simple act of checking on each other. It is difficult to fully express our sadness and shock at Fran’s passing. We will miss her. We send all our love to Tom and the family.
Chelsea Belanger says
My heart and prayers go out to the whole family. I will never forget Fran’s contagious smile and her sweet, sweet demeanor, and especially how happy she made my best friend Brie whenever we came to visit. I know that she will make a wonderful guardian angel to you all!
All my love,
Chelsea
Kelli Goodian says
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Tom and Fran’s caring and generosity to my mother during the years will not be forgotten.
Kelli
Janet Riis says
Tom,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I read about Frances through Carroll’s newsletter. My heartfelt prayers go out to you now and in the coming months. While I didn’t know Frances, I know she must have been a wonderful beautiful lady inside and out as you are a wonderful, caring man yourself. My thoughts are with you “Mr. Malee”.
Take care,
Janet Riis
Nashea Noble says
Tom and the Malee Family,
Growing up next door all my life next to Fran and Tom, reading of her passing crushed my heart. Fran was the nicest, thoughtful, and most caring person. She always took the time to say hello to me and my siblings and it was always with a smile, asking questions of what we had been up to. The love Tom and Fran had for eachother was incredibly admirable and Fran was an amazingly beautiful person inside and out. My thoughts are with you, Tom, and the rest of your family in this time. May all the wonderful memories of her provide you comfort. If I could walk next door and give you a hug I would, but will have to send my mom over in my place until I am in town again 🙂 She is missed.
Love always,
Nashea
Dan & Mary Murray says
Dear Tom, Jackie, Sib, Tom & Pat,
We are so sorry to hear of Fran’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Fran was a wonderful lady , mother, grandmother, great grandmother and mother-in-law. Fran is making burn- bottom cookies for Sean now, and lighting up Heaven with her smile.
God bless you all,
Dan, Mary, Kayla & Sasha
BEV OPITZ says
DEAR TOM AND FAMILY., I HAD THE PRIVILEDGE OF WORKING WITH FRAN AT SHODAIR,S CHILDREN,S HOSPITAL. IN MY OPINION, I FEEL SHE WAS ONE OF THE BEST——SHE COULD BE A CHARGE NURSE, GIVE OUT ORDERS GENTLY AND YET BE ONE OF THE HARDEST WORKERS AROUND. SHE WAS KIND SOFT SPOKEN YET COULD GET THE JOB DONE. WHAT A GAL. SHE’ WILL BE MISSED. MAY SHE REST IN PEACE. I TRULY AM HAPPY SHE CAME INTO MY LIFE. HUGS TO ALL OF YOU. BEV
Fabiane Everett Erb says
Sorry to learn of Frances’ passing. I will always remember her kindness in hosting me for family dinner at her home when I attended Carroll College. Condolences to Ike and her family from the Everett family.
Vicki W Ruzicka says
I worked with Fran at Shodair when I was in High School. She taught me so much. She was a wonderful role model and is part of the reason I became a nurse. She always had a smile and a very caring attitude. Her method of teaching was always with kindness. She will be missed by all that knew her. my condolences to the family and my thoughts and prayers are with you.