Marie Frances (Hunthausen) Walsh, 93 years old, a long-time resident of East Helena passed away peacefully on September 22, 2016. She is dancing in heaven with her husband Pat. Marie was born and raised in Anaconda, MT, the second child of Anthony and Edna (Tuchscherer) Hunthausen. Marie graduated from Anaconda Central High School and from the College of Great Falls with a degree in Education. As a young woman, she taught grade school in Avon, MT. In high school, she met the love of her life, Pat Walsh. They married in 1944 in Corpus Christi, TX where Pat was stationed in the Navy. It didn’t take long for their first child to come along, their son Pat was born in October of the next year. Over the next 20 years, Marie and Pat brought eleven more lives into the world. All of her children were her favorites.
Marie was an amazing person and touched many, many lives throughout her 93 short years on earth. She never said a bad word about anyone, ever! She loved ice cream. Her passion throughout life was always her family. She spent countless hours making sure we were all loved and was a worrier of the best kind. She was our matriarch with over 100 lucky people in her immediate family and more on the way. The family has truly taken her lead to “go forth and multiply”. Marie was a woman of deep faith and was a long time member of SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in East Helena. She was always patient, kind and gracious. She was a great cook, could make a can of tuna feed a small army and made a mean caramel at Christmas. When asked “how do you do it raising all these kids?” she would reply “I just pretend I’m running an orphanage and I want to be the best at it”. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother, had a calming effect on everyone she met and was a wealth of support for her family.
She is survived by her brothers, Archbishop Raymond “Dutch”, Tony, and Fr. Jack Hunthausen and her sisters, Sr. Edna Hunthausen and Jean Stergar and brother-in-law and sister-in law Gene and Peggy Walsh. She is also survived by her children, Ray (Sue) Walsh, Joan (Dave) Hardy, Edna (Pat) Cahill, Michelle (Mike) Stevenson, Colleen (Pat) McCutcheon, Mary (Frank) Ciez, Dick (Kathy) Walsh, Tom (Sharon) Walsh, Sarah Walsh, son-in-law Tim Kelly, daughter-in-law Mary Lou and her husband Gene Mallette.
Marie is also survived by 27 grandchildren, Sarah (Elliott) Lowenstein, Krissy (Ben) Nobel, Katie Mallette, David and Crystal Walsh, David Hardy, Matt (Dawn) Hardy, Michelle Hardy, Suzanne (Paul) Odegaard, Anmarie (Jeff) Lethert, Lee (Josh) Quick, Mark (Tracy) Cahill, John (Maria) Cahill, Paul (Amanda) Cahill, Angela (Jeremy) Watkins, Brianne Stevenson, Michael (Sarah Megyesi) Stevenson, Jessica (Eric Bucy) Stevenson, Mary Pat (Jon) Belzer, Sean McCutcheon, Kevin (Annie) McCutcheon, Colleen (Jason) Schaefer, Tom Walsh, Megan Walsh, Kelsey Walsh, Jillian (Dakota Stonehouse) Walsh and Kaelyn (Ryan Ford) Kelly, 40 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives too many to name. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Pat, brother and sister-in-law Art and Donna Hunthausen, sister-in-law Harriet Hunthausen, brother-in-law John Stergar and children Patrick, John and Edward and grandson Patrick Thomas Walsh Kelly.
In her later years, Marie suffered from dementia but kept her social graces through her last day. A special thanks to Dick and Kathy Walsh, and Joan and Dave Hardy for their loving care these past years and to her daughter Mary Ciez for visiting her daily over her last year at St. Luke’s. Thanks also to the staff at St. Luke’s Extended Care in Ronan, MT for their love and care over the past 14 months.
Marie’s life will be celebrated with a vigil on Monday September 26 at 7:00 PM at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Helena, MT. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Dan Shea at Our Lady of the Valley at 11:00 AM on Tuesday September 27. After interment at Resurrection Cemetery, a reception will be held at Our Lady of the Valley.
Memorials can be sent to the Carroll College Hunthausen Activity Center Fund (1601 North Benton Ave., Helena, MT, 59625), Legendary Lodge (c/o Diocese of Helena, P.O. Box 1729, Helena, MT 59624) in memory of Marie’s grandson, Patrick Thomas Walsh Kelly, the Alzheimer’s Association Montana (3010 11th Ave. North, Billings, MT 59101), Westmont of Helena or to a charity of your choice. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Marie.
Service Schedule
Vigil
7:00 p.m.
Monday September 26, 2016
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday September 27, 2016
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
After the Mass
Tuesday September 27, 2016
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the burial
Tuesday September 27, 2016
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Vigil
7:00 p.m.
Monday September 26, 2016
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday September 27, 2016
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
After the Mass
Tuesday September 27, 2016
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the burial
Tuesday September 27, 2016
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church
Helena, Montana 59602
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Rhonda Stevenson says
Sending lots of love and prayers to the Walsh family. Marie was such an amazing mother to you all and you have all made her so proud.
Deacon Steve & Laura Barry says
Our Prayers & thoughts are with Marie and all of Marie’s family at this difficult time. May she be at peace in the loving gentle arms of our Lord.
With our deepest sympathy & caring love.
Rick and Jan O'Connell says
What a classy lady. She will be missed. Ourvthoughts and prayers are with you.
Rick and Jan O’Connell
Myrna van luvanee says
I remember when your family lived behind us in billings. Dick and tom playing with our kids and you girls babysitting for us. Your mom was so gentle and nice. I got to visit with her in helena a few years ago. How great you had her for so many years. Myrna and Omer van luvanee
Linda Garding says
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your mother! She was a great mother to all of you and I can remember her feeding all of you many times when I was at your house in Billings. I hope your good memories of her will help all of you at this time. Linda Garding
Missy McMahon says
What a wonderful and classy lady.
May the memories you have keep her spirit with you forever
Prayers and thoughts to all of you at the time of this loss
Missy McMahon
Nancy Schmidt says
Marie is so blessed to have her legacy carried on by so many loving family members. My prayers are with all of you.
Mike and Diane Langenfus says
Love and Prayers to the whole family. Marie was a lovely lady and family friend.
Lonnie & Sharon McCollom says
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother, Sarah. You were so fortunate to have had her in your and the rest of the family’s lives. What a great lady she must have been. Prayers and thoughts are with your family.
Audrey Blomquist says
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Walsh Family. Marie was a wonderful and loving mother and grandmother. May family and friends comfort you all during this sad time.
Cindy Watkins says
Our thoughts are with the entire Walsh family as you gather together to say your goodbyes to your sweet mom and grandma.
Marie was such a kind, gentle, loving soul. How remarkable that she was able to raise her very large family with those same qualities that have now been passed down… every mother’s dream. She was the ultimate role model.
Enjoy celebrating her memory and legacy.
Sending big hugs and loves~ Cindy and Jim Watkins
John and Aggie Frankino says
Our thoughts and prayer are with you. We know you will find comfort in each other and in your happy memories. Marie was a beautiful woman in every way.
God bless, John and Aggie Frankino
Judy Niece Tibor says
To the family of Marie Walsh,
My prayers and thoughts are with you. Marie was my sister, Sally’s godmother. My mother and dad always spoke highly of Marie and Pat. My dad was Joe Niece and my mother was Madge Owen Niece. May Marie rest in peace with Pat and her family who has gone before her.
Kathleen and Bill LaMeres says
To Joan, Dave, and family. Our thoughts, love, and prayers to all of you . Take comfort knowing your Mom had the best care and was surrounded with love all her life. May she rest in peace.
Veronica Longo says
Our common history brings us close in times of celebration and sorrow. With a long and loving life behind her, your mom’s passing is a time for sadness in her loss but celebration
of her place in your family. Your friends are empathizing with you during this time of adjustment. V. Longo