Helen Bownes Munroe peacefully passed away on May 12, 2018 at St. Peter’s Hospital surrounded by loved ones. Helen “Nellie” was born in Choteau, Montana to Avis Sloan McInerney and John McInerney, a few minutes after her sister, Nancy. Her mother didn’t know she was expecting twins until they were born. Nellie and Nancy, the youngest of six children, were raised on a farm near Fairfield, Montana. In 1954, she graduated from Fairfield High School. Nellie and Nancy attended Columbus School of Nursing, graduating in 1957. They celebrated their 60th class reunion last summer in Great Falls.
Helen met her first husband, Cramer Bownes, in Anaconda while doing her psychology rotation at the State Hospital. He was an Anaconda fellow, eager to help the new nursing students carry in their luggage at the start of the semester. They were married in 1958 and together they had three children: Mary Margaret, Tom, and Ann Marie. In 1983, after 24 years of marriage, Cramer passed away.
Following graduation, Helen worked as a nurse in Butte and at the Veterans Hospital in Helena. She had an entrepreneurial spirit and a shrewd business sense. She began fixing up houses and selling them long before “flipping homes” was common. Her career in real estate began in 1971 at Sandy McPherson Real Estate and continued at The Landmark Company working for her dear friends, Bill Spilker and Don Erickson. Her time there was filled with loyalty, laughter, and lifelong friendships.
She married Bud Munroe in 1989 and his four children Rocky, Dawn, Dave, and Dana became part of her family. Those who knew Helen and Bud recall their love for dancing, frequent excursions in the Mercedes convertible, and all the special memories made with grandchildren. The two were always willing to help their kids with whatever they needed, including painting, moving, and babysitting. Faith and family were the most important things in her life. Helen was always up for an adventure with her kids and grandkids. She had a laugh that lit up the room and a way of making you feel loved by just being in her presence. When her grandkids said, “I love you” she would say, “I love you more”. She was a devoted daughter, wife, sister, mom, grandma, aunt, friend, and colleague. She will be missed by all who knew her and will always hold a special place in our hearts. She prayed, sacrificed, suffered, loved, lost, lived, and passed away gracefully, lovingly, and peacefully. We loved you more.
Helen is survived by her children Mary Margaret Bownes, Ann Marie (Kevin) McDuffie, Rocky (Judy) Munroe, Dawn (Doug) Burpee and Dana (Brenda) Munroe, twin sister Nancy (Vince) Harrington, grandchildren Erin, Tom, Bridget, Sean, Liam and Mary McDuffie, Jamison Eastburg, David Burpee, Jake, Matthew, and Montana Munroe, sister in laws Catherine Ortwein, Jody McInerney, and Irene Young; as well as the many beloved nieces and nephews of the Harrington, McInerney, and Ortwein clans. She is preceded in death by parents Avis and John McInerney, brothers John Jr, Bill, Leo and sister, Arletta McInerney, husbands Cramer Bownes, and Bud Munroe, son Tom Bownes, stepson Dave Munroe, and grandson Brandon Munroe.
A special thank you to the staff at Saint Peter’s Health for their kind, compassionate care.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23rd at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. The Rosary will be prayed at 10:30 a.m. with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 24th at Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing Street. A reception will follow the Mass in the Brondel Center located in the lower level of the Cathedral. Burial will take place at Resurrection Cemetery following the reception. Memorials in Helen’s name may be sent to the Foundation for the Diocese of Helena Retired Priest Fund, PO Box 1729, Helena, MT 59624-1729, or Legendary Lodge, PO Box 1729, Helena, MT 59624.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 23, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Rosary
10:30 a.m.
Thursday May 24, 2018
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Thursday May 24, 2018
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
Following the Funeral Mass
Thursday May 24, 2018
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 23, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Rosary
10:30 a.m.
Thursday May 24, 2018
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Thursday May 24, 2018
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
Following the Funeral Mass
Thursday May 24, 2018
Resurrection Cemetery
3700 N Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
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Pat Franks says
Mary Margaret and Ann Marie,
Your Mom was such a lady of class! She had that Irish twinkle in her eye, was so delicate in her presence yet had an iron Catholic will and a determination to protect her family and friends at all costs! She was a beautiful example to all of us. A mentor to many. A wonderful mother to both of you! But above all she was God’s gift to her grandchildren. I feel Blessed to have called her my friend! May you both have God’s peace, knowing she loved you to the moon and back.
With love and respect to your Mother,
Pat Franks
Brad Bomar says
Sorry for your loss.
Dudley williams says
Mary Margaret and Anna Marie, my sincerest Condolences to your family. Helen was a good friend for many years.Prayers are with you all.
Jodi Therriault says
Ann Marie and family….so incredibly sorry for your loss….your mom was an incredible woman.
Love you to all!
Jodi Therriault
Judy Baker and Larry says
Helen was such an amazing lady. We will always remember her for her mischievous sweet smile and the twinkle in her eye that always accompanied that smile. And Larry will also remember her for always wanting to ‘tear out a wall’ in any rental she purchased. She will be missed by so many. Blessings to the family. Larry & Judy Baker
Susan Wolcott says
I’ve always been in awe of Helen. A great lady who was an excellent role model for being sharp in business and with family.
I am very sad.
Susie Wolcott
Gina Barr-Eiger says
A truly great lady. Helen was beautiful in every way. She was a mentor to me and many others. We would often in a tricky situation, ask “What would Helen do?” I am sad to hear that she’s gone.
Colleen Rahn says
Ann Marie,
I am so sorry about your mom. She was such a wonderful lady. She had so much love, beauty, strength and faith. I am blessed to be your friend for as long as we have been and to have known your mom for just as long. I am here if you need anything. Love and prayers for you and your family
Mary Kay Bennett says
I remember your mom & dad as the best looking couple in town.
Also, loved seeing you two beautiful daughters out & about with your mom..it left a warm feeling in my heart.
So sorry for your loss. ?♥️❤️?
Charlie Schulz says
Mary Margaret and Ann Marie
The Schulz’s send our thoughts and prayers. So many thanks to your mother, from being the go to house in high school to selling our houses as an adult. “Irish eyes are smiling”, it started with your Mom and Dad then passed on to their children. We all miss Helen, Cramer, and Tom, but we know those eyes will always be with us.
Love you guys
Larisa Moe says
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Brad and Larisa Moe
Rae Tempel says
I am sad to hear of Helen’s passing. She was indeed a very special lady and a dear friend. I will miss her smile and also her ” I love you more”. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bonnie & Bob Pancich says
308 Fox Drive
Ann Marie & family, So sad to read of your Mother’s passing. We enjoyed knowing her and Bud all the years we lived in Helena. They were a great couple. May you sense God’s love during this difficult time and may He wrap you up in his loving arms.
Mary Rogers says
Mary Margaret and Ann Marie,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was amazing. She had that wonderful sense of humor and joy in life that you both share. What a blessing she was to so many.
With love, Mary and Brad Rogers
Robert Tornow Jr. says
I was a tenant in one of her apartments for years. She was the best landlord I ever had. Always responsive to any issue I might have had.