Margie Opitz, age 74 of Helena

Mary Margaret “Margie” Opitz, 74, passed away peacefully on the morning of Sunday, November 17, 2019 after a long courageous battle with lung disease.

Margie was born on November 8, 1945 in Butte, Montana to Andrew “Fat” and Anna Lynch Francisco. Along with her sister Toni, she grew up in Anaconda which provided the backdrop for a happy childhood full of fun and adventure.  They spent every Saturday at her Grandma and Grandpa Lynch’s house in Butte with their extended family of larger than life aunts and cousins.  Many memorable times were spent at the Lynch family’s log cabin in the hills outside Butte.  Margie graduated from Anaconda Central High School in 1964 and from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA in 1968. Upon graduation she moved to Helena where she took her first job as a Medical Technologist at St. John’s Hospital.

Margie would babysit for her neighbor, Lois Bennett, whose younger brother took a shining to her. She once caught him jumping up to sneak a peek at her over the fence, and after his relentless pursuit she finally became his “Dish”.  She married her adoring admirer Arnie Opitz on April 25, 1970 and they spent 23 happy years together raising their two daughters, Juli and Amy.  They traveled around the state and beyond in their camper – hiking, fishing, floating the rivers and enjoying the beauty of the wilderness, including many National Parks.  She especially loved Glacier Park and was in awe of its rugged beauty.  Margie loved being outdoors and enjoyed nothing more than having a cup of Irish coffee by the morning campfire.

Margie worked for many years in the lab at St. Peter’s Hospital as well as at the Montana State Lab. After Arnie’s untimely death in 1993 Margie hiked the trails around Helena with her beloved dog Reilly, whose energy and zest for life was infectious and kept her on the move. This would prepare her for the four spirited grandchildren – Caiden, Hailey, Devin and Max, that would grace her life and bring her unimaginable joy and laughter.  She spent countless hours driving them to activities, watching their sporting events, reading them books, playing bingo, baking their birthday cakes and most recently, debating current political events (ok, that one was just with Devin).  Her grandkids were the light of her life and she enriched their lives as much as they did hers.

Margie loved to read and Arnie would often comment that the house could fall down around her when she was in the middle of a good book. She also enjoyed doing the daily crossword puzzles in the paper and rarely missed an episode of Jeopardy.  She had an incredible soft spot for animals and loved them all – big and small, domestic and wild.  She especially loved birds, including bluebirds, hummingbirds and the robins – Mert and Gert – that came back to see her every year.  She attentively waited for the hummingbirds and bunnies to return to her yard each summer and she knew them all intimately.  She valued nature, knowledge and friendship far more than any worldly possessions.

She was fiercely proud of her Irish heritage and a trip to Ireland with her sister and daughters to visit the homestead of her grandfather, Judge Jeremiah J. Lynch was a highlight of her life. She met cousins who treated her like a long-lost friend with so much to catch up on.  She enjoyed many travel adventures with her daughter Juli, the highlight being a trip to Italy where she received a blessing from the Pope in Rome.

She was blessed to have an extended family and many friends that looked after her and included her in their daily lives; her sister Toni and her brothers and sisters-in-law were amazing and cannot be thanked enough for the support, companionship and love they gave our mom.

Margie was preceded in death by her beloved husband Arnie, her parents, her infant brother Anthony, and brothers and sisters-in-law Lois and Bill Bennett, Ken Bongers, and Bob Simkins. She is survived by her daughters and their families:  Juli Opitz and Rob Skiena and Max of Toronto, Ontario; and Amy and Ryan Crawford and Caiden, Hailey, and Devin of Helena. She is also survived by her sister Toni Francisco of Kirkland, WA, and brothers and sisters-in-law Jean Bongers of Yakima, WA, Marlene Simkins, Don and Bev Opitz, and Ron and Carol Opitz of Helena, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, who she adored.

A memorial service celebrating Margie’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 21^st at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave.  Graveside services will follow the service at Resurrection Cemetery.  A reception will follow the service at the Downstairs at the Brewhouse, 939 Getchell St.  In lieu of flowers the family prefers a donation to Helena Food Share, P.O. Box 943, Helena, MT  59624, the Foundation for Animals, P.O. Box 389, Helena, MT  59624, or a charity of your choice.

May the road rise to meet you ~ May the wind be always at your back ~ May the sun shine warm upon your face, and until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Service Schedule

Memorial Service

2:00 p.m.

Thursday November 21, 2019

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave

Helena, Montana 59602

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Graveside Service

Following the Memorial Service

Thursday November 21, 2019

Resurrection Cemetery

Helena, Montana 59602

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Reception

Following the Graveside Service

Thursday November 21, 2019

Downstairs at the Brewhouse

939 Getchell Street

Helena, Montana 59601

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