Mary M. Bryson left us to be with her beloved husband, Harry on July 12th as a result of a fall at their family cabin.
Mary was the third child born to Gilbert F. and Mabel Christie Burtch on July 31, 1924. The family lived on a dry land farm in the North Fork of Deep Creek outside of Townsend, MT. Her siblings include brothers Jack, Harold and Chuck Burtch and sister Helen (Burtch) Orsello.
Mary went to Townsend for the first grade and the next 7 grades were completed at the Cottonwood School (District 26). She graduated from Broadwater County High School in 1942. The summer of her graduation her mother sent her to a school in Helena learning to wire radios. She completed that Training and continued the training in Seattle where she then was employed by Boeing Company working on airplanes for the war effort.
Mary enjoyed her learning experience at Boeing and living in the big city. She met many wonderful women whose sons were fighting.
Mary returned to Helena in the winter of 1943 because her mother was ill. She went to work for the Federal Reserve Bank. Mary met Helen Hodgson, sister to her future husband Harry E. Bryson. Harry and Mary were married August 13th, 1949 at the Methodist Church in Helena. Because family members could not work together Mary left her position at the Federal Reserve and became employed by Knapp Service as a bookkeeper.
Harry worked as a lineman for the telephone company and they travelled the state for three years, living in a trailer. They moved to town when the first of their three sons was born. Mark, Paul and Scott became the center of Harry and Mary’s lives. She worked in various jobs until she settled in her career at the Small Business Administration.
Harry and Mary were active in the Masonic Lodge. After her retirement Mary and Harry their summers at the family cabin in Lincoln and their winters travelling with friends. Mary spent many hours working on her family history and writing poetry. She was published several times. In her later years Mary was a consistent member of the Tuesday morning coffee ladies of Jorgenson’s Restaurant. She was also actively involved in her church.
Mary contracted the serious chronic illness, fibromyalgia. Because recovery from this condition is so rare Mary acted as a mentor to many women around the country and was able to show them the path of permanent relief.
Mary is survived by her sons Mark (Mary) Bryson, Montana City, MT; Paul (Jo) Bryson, Tualatin, OR and Scott (Ellen) Bryson, Helena, MT. Mary has eight grandchildren: Grady and Sarah Bryson, Montana City; Niki Michelson, LaPine, OR Barry and Kellie Tresch, Portland, OR; and Katie Petersen (Jeremiah) Florence, MT, Lara Grove (Garrick), Stevensville, MT and Laura Axtman (Darek), Bozeman, MT and 8 great-grandchildren; siblings Jack Burtch, Bellingham, WA, Chuck (Alice) Burtch, Seattle, WA and sister Helen (Bill) Orsello, Helena, MT.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband Harry Bryson and her brother Harold Burtch.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Sunday, July 15th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home; 3750 N. Montana Ave. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 16 at the funeral home with a reception to follow the funeral services in the social hall of the funeral home. A graveside service will take place at Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery at Fort Harrison following the reception. Memorials in Mary’s name are suggested to the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association; 31 Federal Ave, Logan, UT 84321. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family condolences.
Charlene Burtch Beebe says
I’m Ed Burtch’s (Mary’s first cousin)daughter in Townsend. Mary and my Dad had the best of times together as kids and adults. Dad would visit Mary often right up to just days before he lost his driving rights because of his vision loss. It’s so sad to read about Mary’s passing, but be assured Mary and my Dad and his sister Mary Alice will be having a blast in Heaven this very minute, they all had such tight knit families with cousins and anuts and uncles, something that is being lost in the generations now. My love and hugs to each one of you that loved her and will miss her so much. Ed’s daughter, Charlene
Chris & Jenny Dargan says
Scott & Ellen: So very sorry for your loss. May wonderful memories replace the heart ache. Let us know if there is anything we can do. Condolences to all of your family.
Jamie Mashek says
Mary was always an absolute joy to be around. She was always cheerful and she loved to laugh. She had more spunk than most people do in their 30s. I will miss her, and my thoughts are with her dear friend, Bob Robbins, as well as Mary’s family. Take care, Mary.
Judy (Bryson) and Ned Lynch says
“My life’s been full, I savored much, good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch, perhaps my time seems all too brief, don’t lengthen your pain with undue grief, left up your heart and peace to thee, God wanted me now, He set me free”. Mary was my favorite and will be sorely missed. She is with Harry now, for all time. Mark, Paul, and Scott, we are so sorry for your loss.
Steven Repac says
To the family members of Mary Bryson: I wanted to offer my sincerest condolences on the loss of your mother. I remember how your Mom and Dad accepted me and treated me – like their son – when I was living in Helena during 1979 through 1981. Paul and I are still very close friends and I can’t say enough about Harry and Mary Bryson – they epitomized what Christian living was all about…wonderful people. You know you feel so lucky to have had her as your mother – I feel for your loss. Take care and my prayers are with you. God Bless you all.
-Steve Repac