Jane Chase Goodsill Hibbard

Jane Goodsill Hibbard, June 13, 1922 – October 23, 2011

Jane Goodsill was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on June 13, 1922. A few years prior to her birth, her father had worked in Helena for the Chamber of Commerce where the Goodsills became friends with A.T. and Margaret Hibbard. When Jane was born the Hibbards sent the Goodsills a telegram which read, “Delighted to know you have a sweetheart for Hank,” who was born in 1919. Hank and Jane would meet as children when the Goodsill family visited Helena in the 1930s, but they would not meet in earnest until Jane was 23.

Jane attended high school at the University School in St. Paul, followed by Carleton College. Money was tight so she transferred to the University of Minnesota after two years at Carleton. Following graduation she moved to New York City with three sorority sisters where she worked in sales in a ticket booth for the railroad. 

On his return from the European Theater as a captain in the U.S. Army in 1945, Henry looked up his childhood acquaintance, the daughter of family friends, when his unit stopped in New York City. After three dates Henry proposed and they were married in St. Paul that year.

They shared their first home on the family ranch, Sieben Live Stock Company, with the Scottish foreman and his wife, and with the Chinese ranch cook. Located thirty miles south of Cascade, the isolation, compounded by a hard winter and a poor county road, proved a daunting challenge for the young bride who loved city life. However, those who knew Jane knew her intrepid spirit. She helped feed sheep. She dug a garbage pit with a D7 Cat, which did not meet Jane’s standards for excellence but proved good enough for ranch work. She grew to love horses, which played a major role in her life and she rode into her 80s, including a pack trip into the Bob Marshall Wilderness in her late 70s.

In spite of a teenage accident with fireworks that impaired the vision in her left eye, Jane was an exceptional golfer. She won numerous golf tournaments, including the St. Paul City Championship and the National Junior Women’s Western Golf Tournament in 1938. She was the Montana women’s amateur champion six times from 1950 to 1979, matched nearly by her holes-in-one (five). She was one of the founders of the Big Sky Open, which she won three times. She was one of the first two inductees into the Montana Women’s Golf Association Hall of Fame. She belonged to four country clubs over the course of her life and won the club championship of each.
In later life Jane learned to cast a fly rod, which corrupted her golf swing which displeased her, but not enough to quit fishing.

Jane raised three sons, Chase, Whit and Scott, and attempted to teach them some valuable lessons, including: clean your plate, don’t be a quitter, get organized, buckle down, put your nose to the grindstone, make something of yourself, be well-rounded, write thank-you notes, clear the table, make your bed, be on time, use your manners and be nice.

Jane was a charter member of The Bray Society and was active in the early years of the Archie Bray, where she made pots, plates and cups which the family keeps in active use. She served on the Board of Directors of St. Peter’s Hospital and St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation. She was the major contributor toward the purchase of the Jane G. Hibbard Hospice House in Helena in 1989.

In Great Falls, where she lived after Hank died, she was a founding member and Chair of Benefis Healthcare Foundation. She served on the Board of Directors for Paris Gibson Square and on the National Advisory Committee for the Charlie Russell Museum.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Hank Hibbard, and a brother, Marshall Goodsill of Honolulu. She is survived by a brother, Stanley Goodsill of Charlottesville, VA, and by her sons, Chase (Emily), Whit, and Scott (Gretchen), all of Helena. She is also survived by four grandsons, Tyler (Heather) and Marshall (Terah), both of Missoula, Tyrrell (Mary) of Helena, and Cooper, currently living in Colorado. Jane has one great-grandchild, Genevieve (Tyrrell and Mary).

Admired by many for her humor, her love of fun, her energy and her can-do attitude, Jane developed many dear friends throughout her life. Always social yet independent, strong-willed and a tough competitor, she remained active and in charge of her life for as long as possible.

A celebration of Jane’s life will be held at a later date.

The family extends its deepest gratitude to the staff at Waterford for all their efforts in caring for Jane.

For those who wish to make memorial contributions in Jane’s name, the family suggests the Staff Fund at Waterford, 915 Saddle Drive, Helena 59601; the Archie Bray Foundation, 2915 Country Club Ave, Helena 59602; or the Charlie Russell Museum, 400 13th St. N, Great Falls 59401.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com.

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