Lyla Mae Tabaracci, 95, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 9, 2023, surrounded by family and friends at her home at Touchmark in Helena, Montana. Lyla was born to George and Lily Anderson (Carlson) on September 4, 1928, in Larimore, North Dakota. She was raised on a farm outside Larimore, with her brother Duane Anderson, and sister Frances Imlay (Anderson). Lyla attended elementary and high school in Orr, North Dakota. After high school, she received her teaching certificate at Mayville State Teachers College in Mayville, North Dakota. She moved to Cut Bank, Montana, in 1950 to take a position teaching fourth grade. It was in Cut Bank where Lyla met another teacher, Robert (Bob) Tabaracci. Lyla and Bob were married on August 8, 1951, in Saint Ann’s Cathedral in Great Falls, Montana. They lived in Cut Bank until moving to Great Falls in 2002.
Lyla and Bob have three children, John (Wilma) Tabaracci of Helena, Mary (Tim) Wells of Kalispell, and Joan (Ott) Jones of Bozeman. They have ten grandchildren, Katie (Kyle) Isakson, Bennett Tabaracci, Robert Tabaracci, Jamie (Clayton) Vandergriff, Mike Wells, Tyler Wells, Courtney (Eli) Sward, Collin Jones, Kyle Jones and Kelsey Jones. They also have four great-grandchildren, Sutton and Ellis Vandergriff and Ainsley and Winston Sward.
Lyla loved baking cookies for her grandchildren, especially ginger cremes, and playing cards whether with one of her bridge groups or with her grandchildren. She delighted in beating her grandchildren in gin rummy. She cherished time with family anxiously awaiting the newest online photos and visiting by phone. She loved that she was able to see most all of her grandchildren at a family wedding in October.
While in Cut Bank, Lyla was an active member of the St. Margaret’s Women’s Guild, American Legion Auxiliary, and PEO.
Lyla was preceded by Bob, in 2006, and by her parents, sister and brother. She is survived by her children and grandchildren. She is also survived by her special family friend Jo Ann Murphy, along with several nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass for Lyla will be held at 11:00 a.m., December 23, 2023m, at Saint Mary’s Catholic Community Church. Memorials may be made to the St. Margaret’s Women’s Guild and Food Pantry, both in Cut Bank.
Saint Mary’s livestream link: https://youtube.com/@saintmaryhelena?si=ytlmIf7MkKu3_75j
Claudia Elton says
I just want to tell all of Lyla’s family how sorry we are. You know how the Jones Family and the Tabaracci Family and the Brown Family are one big family. We always felt like we all belonged together.
I know it is such a loss for all of you but as I always think of the reunion Lyla had with all of those who went before her!
We love all of you and are praying for you.
Love, Claudia and Harold and our kids
Callie Rearden says
To all of Lyla’s family, I’m very sorry for your loss. I lived across the street from Lyla and Bob in Great Falls and she was a joy to visit with and get to know. I loved seeing her outside keeping her flowers tended to and she would often send over cookies to our twin boys, we learned about the Heath bits cookies from her 🙂 What a love she had for her family, you all brought so much joy to her and took wonderful care of her, always calling and visiting. I have thought of her often since she moved to Helena and while I know it’ll be hard to have her gone, she is looking down and smiling at you all with those she loves up in heaven! Thinking of you all, Callie, Jeff, Cole & Connor
Rhonda Jaramillo says
I am so sad… Lyla was like a second mom to me!
She was one of the most fun, kind, sweet people I have ever had in my Life. She truly was a gift from God….as were you, her beloved family!!! Claudia is SO right…our lives and memories and hearts will forever be intertwined with our dear Tabaracci/Brown/Jones family!
Angie Puckett says
To all of Lyla’s family ~ I was Lyla and Bob’s next door neighbor in Great Falls for many years. I could not have asked for two more kind, caring and wonderful people to have next door to us. Lyla was so good to my boys and me. She loved to visit and of course bake and share her delightful cookies. She and Bob gave my oldest son his first job mowing their lawn. Each time I was in her home there were always cards on the table. She loved her family dearly and would always talk about her kids and grandkids and it was so clear how proud she was of all of you. I remember too how good each of you were to her. Even when I moved away I thought of her often and wondered how she was doing. I thought of all of you because I almost felt like I knew each of you too. I wish you comfort in all of the memories I know each of you have of her. She will forever be in your hearts and I know she will be looking down beaming with love and pride for each of you. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Love and peace to all of you
wendy sleight says
I am sending the entire family heart felt condolences on the passing of your beloved Mom, and Grandma! I have fond memories of all the Sneva’s stopping in Cut Bank to visit you all on our way to Larimore/ McCanna. My mom always said her best friends were her cousins and how she couldn’t wait to have them all come to play at the farm. I remember fondly their visit to Mom’s in Issaquah. Lyla left quite a legacy and I know you will often reflect on her wise words, unconditional love and love of feeding and serving others. Our parents meager upbringing certainty instilled a compassion for serving others and putting others people’s need first. Evy extends her love and sympathy and tell everyone she was just the best cousin!