Pamela J. McGuire, age 72, of Helena

On December 22nd, 2025, Pamela “Pam” Jean McGuire went home to be with her Lord and Savior after over five years battling Multiple Systems Atrophy. It was a disease that robbed her of much, but not her sweet spirit. She was 72, cared for to the end in her Helena, Montana home by those who loved her dearly.

Pam was born on November 29th, 1953 in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. She was the first of four children born to Harvey Hays and Marlene Stull.  They lived in Cleveland, Ohio for most of Pam’s elementary school years before relocating to Chicago, Illinois where she attended middle school.  Her family moved back to the Detroit area for high school where at church she met her husband of 53 years, Keith McGuire. They married on August 12,1972.

A year later, Keith and Pam moved to Union City, Tennessee where they started their life and family of three children. In the spring of 1990, they excitedly left the heat and formality of the South for the cool air, beautiful mountains and relaxed culture of Montana. Settling in the small city of Townsend, they continued to build their home and family, striving first to honor the Lord with their lives by serving Him and others, and secondly to allow their children to grow and thrive in the small town community and things they loved.

The McGuire family spent much of their time and energy at Faith Baptist Church in Townsend.  Pam could be found sitting shoeless at the church organ accompanying Keith as he led music, teaching Sunday school, caring for children in nursery, and meeting many other needs that arose. Outside of church her days were spent serving her household in addition to running a “tight ship” as a caring substitute teacher at Broadwater Elementary School. Once her children left her nest, she went to work using her sharp accounting mind in various finance roles. She retired from Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority (MMIA) in 2021, after 13 years as an Accounting Associate.

Her stress relief was hunting unbelievable thrift and clearance bargains. Her hobby was playing with her grandkids, providing them fruit snacks and the coolest toys (always purchased as a steal of a deal), and making them feel like they were on a vacation whenever they came to Nanny’s house. Pam was famous for jumping into any work that needed to be done. It did not matter whose house she was in or who cooked the meal, she would fight anyone over doing the dishes and cleaning up the kitchen.  She was a most dedicated Christian, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. God and her family came first, followed by others in need, and herself last. Her love and support of her husband and children were unwavering and fierce. Her delight was the many grandchildren she was blessed with

The greatest impression Pam leaves on all of us is a life marked by one who knew Jesus as her Savior.  She fully and humbly embraced her own need for his saving grace and daily help living in a broken world. She began each day with rollers in her hair, coffee mixed with hot chocolate, prayer and reading His word in the early morning hours. He was her greatest source of strength, hope and joy. Those who were blessed to be a part of her life will miss her most for her servant’s heart and zeal and faithfulness in taking the needs of those around her to God in confident prayer.  In her last years, as so much of her mind and body faded and left her unable to do most of what she loved, her smile, sweet spirit, desire to help others and be close to the Lord remained bright.

Pam is preceded in death by her parents Marlene and Harvey Hays. She is survived by her husband, Keith McGuire; children Aaron McGuire (Jacqui), Corey McGuire, and Leah Brown (Kyle); and siblings Matt (Patti), Harold (Sue) and Sandy Hays.  She is also survived by her grandchildren Whitney, Carter and Jordyn McGuire, Kiera Brown, Lauren Weaver, Tatem Repnak and Porter Brown.

A Viewing will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 2, 2026 at Faith Baptist Church, 5 Jack Farm Rd., Townsend, with a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Baptist Church immediately followed by Burial service at Deep Creek Cemetery in Townsend. A Reception will be held at Faith Baptist Church after the burial.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to RU Recovery (https://rurecovery.com/give).

Words cannot express the thanks Pam’s family would like to relay to Elaine Rummel, Rosie Risemberg, Katie Torstensen and Deborah Bavosa.  Their care and support to Pam and her family over the past two years cannot be articulated or quantified.  When she could no longer physically serve and care for herself or others, they gave her the absolute best of both.

Service Schedule

Viewing

9:30 a.m.

Friday January 2, 2026

Faith Baptist Church

5 Jack Farm Rd.

Townsend, Montana 59644

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Funeral Service

11:00 a.m.

Friday January 2, 2026

Faith Baptist Church

5 Jack Farm Rd.

Townsend, Montana 59644

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Burial

Following the service

Friday January 2, 2026

Deep Creek Cemetery

Townsend, Montana 59644

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Reception

Following the burial

Friday January 2, 2026

Faith Baptist Church

5 Jack Farm Rd.

Townsend, Montana 59644

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