Mary G. Murtha, age 88, died on December 1, 2013 at The Renaissance Senior Care Facility where she resided for the final two years of her life.
Mary was born October 12, 1925 in Grand Junction, Colorado, and took great pleasure in telling others that her birthday was a national holiday! Mom was an adventurous child, who managed to find excitement wherever she went. When she was 12 years old and unbeknownst to her parents, she broke the women’s record for swimming across the Columbia River near Hood River, Oregon, where she was raised. As a teen and once again without permission, Mom climbed the steeple of the Catholic Church in The Dalles, Oregon. At age 16, while flirting with her future husband, she jumped over a creek, and fell off a cliff. Miraculously, she escaped with only a broken arm!
Mary and Jim Murtha were married on June 22, 1944. They had seven children, who were raised in Portland, Oregon. Mary was a faithful and devout Catholic and took great pride in the fact that all her seven children received their educations in Catholic schools.
Throughout her energetic life, Mary was a homemaker, secretary, and childcare provider. She volunteered her service and time in many ways. Mom knitted hats for the homeless and for newborn babies. Mom drove the elderly to their appointments, and for sixteen years, she faithfully took her widowed elderly aunt to church and breakfast every Sunday.
In 2001, Mary moved to Helena to be closer to her daughters and her volunteering spirit continued in Helena. Mary still knit her hats, drove her grandchildren to and from school, and made their afternoon snacks. She served on the funeral luncheon committee at Saint Mary Catholic Community, and also continued to drive the elderly to their appointments.
Mom was an impeccable housekeeper and kept a beautiful garden. She was also a talented writer with the hope of someday being published.
Sadly, in 2008, Mary was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Over the years she lost her ability to write, read, drive, knit, garden, and ultimately lost her memories. However, Mom never lost her strong faith, and now rests in the loving arms of her Lord.
Mary is preceded in death by her daughter, Elizabeth Larson. She is survived by her six children: Jim (Carolyn) Murtha of Helena; John (Chris) Murtha, of Salem, OR; Kathryn Garret, San Diego, CA; Robert Murtha, Portland, OR; Jean Murtha, Helena, and Joannie (Doug) Volesky, Helena. Many grandchildren and great grandchildren also survive Mom.
Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 1:30PM, December 6th, at Saint Mary Catholic Community. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the Renaissance Senior Living and Rocky Mountain Hospice staff for the amazing care, respect and genuine love they gave to our mother. She could not have been in a better place or received better health care during the final years of her life. We have all been blessed for knowing you. Thank you!
A funeral mass will be celebrated 1:30 p.m. Friday, December 6th at Saint Mary Catholic Community, 1700 Missoula Ave, Helena. Immediately following will be the rite of committal at Resurrection Cemetery, 3700 N. Montana Ave, Helena, Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Mary.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Friday December 6, 2013
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave
Helena , Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Friday December 6, 2013
Resurrection Cemetery,
3700 N. Montana Ave
Helena , Montana 59602
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