Hope Bromfield Stevens was born June 24, 1927 in Paris France. She died October 25, 2016 in Bountiful, Utah at Heritage Place Assisted Living.
Hope’s father Louis Bromfield, author, farmer, and conservationist brought his wife Mary and eldest daughter Anne to live in Senlis, a small town outside of Paris before Hope was born. Hope remembered the years they spent there as among the happiest of her life. Her younger sister Ellen was born there as well, and the sisters grew to love their nanny, Jean White who spent almost every waking hour with them. Hope’s relationship with Nanny was so close that she would later care for Hope and Bob’s two daughters and die in their home in Virginia many years later.
Mom’s storybook childhood in France, filled with magical experiences and adventure, ended abruptly in 1938 when Louis Bromfield sent his family back to the USA by ship. He then returned the year after. They eventually settled in the rolling countryside of Richland County, Ohio, where Louis had spent his childhood. There Louis bought three adjoining farms, determined to restore them to the healthy condition he envisioned. Thus he started his Malabar Farm project, which became famous, showing off his innovative farming techniques. Hope’s Dad was a larger than life figure throughout her life, and influenced her tremendously. She struggled to adapt to life in rural Ohio, while grieving the loss of their life in France, and she would never feel at home there the way she did in Senlis.
Hope and Bob Stevens were married at Malabar Farm on December 23, 1950. They started their married life on a farm nearby. Their first daughter Melanie was born in Mansfield, Ohio in 1952. The family later moved to a farm near Leesburg, Virginia, and their second daughter Sara was born in Washington, D.C. in 1954. Hope and Bob became very involved in politics, a passion which continued throughout their life together. They also had a full social life, and spent many happy years traveling to Europe and a handful of times to Brazil to visit Mom’s sister Ellen and her family.
In 1966 they moved to the Bozeman, Montana area, buying a small guest ranch in the Gallatin Canyon just north of Big Sky Ski Resort. Bob started his travel business, Montana Travel in Bozeman. The family enjoyed spending most weekend and holidays in the Gallatin Canyon. Hope loved horseback riding, hiking, cooking delicious gourmet meals, playing piano, singing, dancing, painting, drawing, and traveling, and she was passionate about gardening, her pets, and spending time in nature. Bob and the girls shared in her enjoyment of all these.
Around 1990 Hope and Bob moved to the Helena area, buying property (Little Falcon Farm) in the mountains along the Marysville road. By this time they had become passionate conservationists, so they put their land into a conservation easement, and it became a nature preserve. They deeply loved their place, which became the center of their lives. After Bob passed away in 2014, Mom tried to stay on at the farm, but it became necessary for her to receive round the clock healthcare, so her daughters helped her move to Bountiful, Utah where she could get the extensive care she needed and they could visit her almost daily throughout the week.
Hope is survived by her daughters Melanie (Ron) Read and Sara (Tagge) Solaimanian, her sister Ellen (Carson) Geld, seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and one on the way. The family thanks the staff of Heritage Place and Envision Hospice Care for their compassionate and kind service to Mom.
A funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 31st at Retz Funeral Home, 315 E. 6th Ave., with a reception at the funeral home immediately following the service. The burial will follow the reception at the Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery, Fort Harrison, where she will be buried next to her husband, Bob. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Hope.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday October 31, 2016
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Reception
Following the service
Monday October 31, 2016
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Burial
Following the reception
Monday October 31, 2016
Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
3550 Hero's Road
Fort Harrison , Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday October 31, 2016
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Reception
Following the service
Monday October 31, 2016
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Burial
Following the reception
Monday October 31, 2016
Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
3550 Hero's Road
Fort Harrison , Montana 59636
Susan Benedict says
Hope’s conservation ethic was always an inspiration to me in my work at The Nature Conservancy. She could always be counted on to say it like it was. She will be missed!
Louis Andres says
Melanie and Sara,
So sorry for your mom’s passing. I had the pleasure many times to talk and get her wonderful letters of support when I was the Malabar farm park manager for over 23 years. Her inspiration and support were treasured memories. Her unselfish support for the environment will be missed. My many years at Malabar Farm I got to met you and your mom during visits to Malabar. Although I am now retired as the Malabar Farm Park Manager I still have fond memories of my time there and getting to know your mom and aunt Ellen. My prayers are with you and your family.
Brian Martin says
Melanie and Sara
I am so sad to read of your mom’s passing. Over our many visits over the years we had wonderful conversations about your mom’s passionate love of the land and wildlife. She was a true inspiration and made so many great contributions to environmental cause to benefit the people of Montana and across the west.
Bernadette Henzi says
Dear Melanie and Sara,
My friendship with your mother lasted over 40 years, beginning at Montana Travel in Bozeman. I always enjoyed having conversations with her about her animals and her love of the land. We shared many of the same interests, including gardening, reading, riding horses and caring for animals. Her support for wildlife and wild places has inspired me to act on my convictions with courage in the face of controversy. I was privileged to spend some time with your mom and dad on their Helena ranch and will always remember walks and rides with Hopie down to the pond, feeding the birds, and watering the garden beds. I am sad to know that she is gone but happy that she will not be forgotten by the many who benefited from her generous and passionate spirit.
Gwen Knight says
My dearest Melanie and
Sara,
So sorry to read that your beautiful mother passed away. I have such fond memories of your family at the ranch. Reading her obituary has taken me back to so many wonderful summers so many years ago. Thoughts and prayers to you and your families.
Linda Coldwell Collins says
Sara and Melanie, I remember your mom as a very kind and giving lady. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Linda Coldwell Collins
Karole Lee says
It was with sadness when I read of Hopie’s passing in today’s paper. I had known Bob and Hopie for many years and always admired them in their commitment to environmental protection issues. And, of their love of animals–both wild and domestic. I visited their home near Marysville on many occasions sitting on the back patio, discussing politics and conservation issues, and watching their dogs and my dog play. Both Hopie and Bob will be remembered fondly by many people. My thoughts are with you both, Sara and Melanie.
Sandi Blake says
Sara and Melanie,
We too have many precious memories or your wonderful mother and father, but perhaps the most memorable for us were their commitment to caring for and enhancing their property at Marysville by planting native, pollinator, and fruiting plants. This meant so much to them that for a number of years they made an annual trek to Big Timber, spent the night at The Grand Hotel where we always met them for dinner, then came to our nursery the following morning with their well prepared, itemized list of plants they were to purchase that year. It was a hoot how we managed to cram sizable plants into their vehicle, along with canines, etc. Their deep commitment to preserving nature was a lesson to us all. We hope you will stay in touch with us in the months and years ahead. Sandi and Francis Blake
Marilyn Blakey-Hayes says
Sara and Melanie,
I have so many wonderful memories of your Mom. She and Bob were a great help to those of us who worked at the FWP Wild Animal Shelter while it was still on Custer Avenue. She cared deeply about all living things and offered her help many, many times. My last memory of Hopie is the summer of 2001. My granddaughters and I brought frogs for the pond at Little Falcon Farm.
Another time she sponsored a wolf program for Science students at HMS featuring Koani the wolf. Her devotion to wildlife, wild places and habitat protection really made a difference to this wonderful place where we are so fortunate to live.
Susan Zazzali Mittelstadt says
Thanks for the support of my work, Hope! You were always a great hostess and entertaining friend.
N.S. says
Didn’t now your family but by reading her orbituary I see what a wonderful family ope & Bob raised, and all the friends lives she touched by caring for God’s creation the animals, trees, plants, the lands she owned, in the future God promises that humans will care for the animals Isaiah 65: 17 to 25 animals will together no more furious animals, what Adam & Eve lost the righteous humans will possess and live 4ever on earth Psalms 37: 11, 29
Jay Erickson says
Melanie and Sara and family members,
I am sad to read of your mom’s passing. Hope was above all, in my experience, kind, determined and passionate. Over our many visits we had wonderful conversations concerning her and my opinions of politics and conservation. These included her experience of living in fear of an oppressive government in France. She was determined not to let that happen in here or anywhere. She was an inspiration to me. She made a large impact in favor of human rights and conservation causes in Montana and many places.
Wendy Francis says
I was very saddened to hear of Hopie’s passing. She was such a passionate lover and defender of wildlife, indeed animals of any kind. I loved Hopie’s fierce belief in democracy and that she could make a difference. I was fortunate enough to stay with her and Bob on Falcon Farm several times. I loved walking over the property with Hopie and hearing her stories about all the animals the property sheltered. They were great role models for living off the grid. I’m sorry it all had to come to an end. My thoughts are with Melanie, Sara and their families.
Denise Vales says
To Melanie and Sara
I am sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. I too worked at Malabar Farm State Park, as one of the naturalists/tour guides for over 10 yrs. I had the honor to share many stories of the Bromfield family with the public. I met and spoke with your Aunt Ellen many times over the years. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Paul Reichert says
I first met Bob and Hope in the mid 1990s when they had just decided to move up to Helena. And reading of Hope’s passing brought back some found memories of both of them. I was just starting to work on promoting smart growth issues in Montana – and they quickly got involved helping to bring their ideas, talent and world experiences to the table – to help Montana communities adopt smarter growth. They were so generous and helpful at a time that was critical for Montana. And they were excited to push for innovative new ideas for how Montana could grow – and not loose what keeps this place special for future generations. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of Hope’s families – and I know i will miss Hope’s passion for life and giving back to keep Montana a great place.