Patricia A. Beaver, age 82 of Helena

Patricia Ann (Patty) Beaver, age 82, died peacefully at home in the early morning of December 17.
Patty has been placed in the hands of the Angels. The severe pains of her chronic wounds, endured over the last five years, have been erased as she fully enjoys the hallowed world of Heaven. Her reception at the gates of Heaven will be by her mother and father who preceded her in death.
Patty was born in Denver, Colorado on June 28, 1942, of Monica and Leonard Ahern. She was the first of two daughters, being followed by her loving sister, Kathleen Miller. Many of her childhood and college friends, sorority sisters and Helena friends will again welcome her to the beauty of spiritual life in the promises of Heaven. Patty’s spiritual understanding began at home and continued at Holy Family Schools in North Denver. Saint Helena Cathedral parish fostered the maturation and deeper understanding of her true love of Jesus Christ.
Patty graduated from Holy Family High in 1960. She then went off to Colorado State College to pursue her aspirations to teach kids through the medium of English and English Literature. She graduated in 1964 with her degree and a beau in tow whom she endured for over 60 years. She married that encumbrance, aka Terry, on August 8 of 1964. The following year, Patty taught in Greeley, CO as Terry pursued his master’s degree. While in Greeley, they accepted an offer for Terry to begin teaching in East Helena.
Her new life in Montana was a culture shock, moving from the metropolitan life and such attractions as Aspen ski resort to the frontier life offered by what was perceived as a mining camp by those who could not place Montana on a map. Her Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority sisters wished her the best as she departed the sophisticated life for the crude life they assumed existed in Helena, MT. Skiing at Belmont with a tow rope was a new adventure to say the least.
Her formal teaching career was cut short by the birth of Julie, followed by Lorie, and the caboose Jeff. Her new career of raising kids was her most loving adventure. Thanks to her new Helena friends Faye, Judy and Sharon and their kids, Patty and her brood were able to benefit from the last generation of those taking advantage of being raised by a village. The Beaver house was the congregating spot of Jefferson school classmates after school for two generations. All were welcome as games in the back yard were followed with any snack one could ask for.
Once the kids were old enough, Patty took a job as a school secretary at Helena Junior High (now HMS). Her duties were secretarial, nurse’s assistant and training at least twelve new principals of the school. Her most important role in her job was that of fostering the education of the multitude of kids who were sent her way. The secretarial desk was adjacent to the office of the principal so that each mis-behaving student was softened for the principal and/or mothered by Patty. Some required hard mothering, some a softer approach, but in each case, it involved some counseling, some demanding behavioral change, some understanding shoulder to cry on and many times the 35 cents for school lunch, which was forgotten or not available at home (most of those made it a point to re-pay). If Patty was having trouble making connection with a student’s problem, she’d engage the secret problem solver, Smokey. Smokey was the family dog who was anxious to attend HJH every school day. He rode in the back end of Patty’s station wagon with the back window one third of the way down. Patty would take a problem 7th grader to Smokey long before it was recognized that such animals had soothing ways to serve needing kids.
Patty never missed an event of any of her kids. She was their most devoted fan, perpetual supporter and provider of snacks after each game. Her grandchildren knew she did everything she could to make it to each event of which they were a part. The kids knew she was there in the audience, and more recently in the parking lot as close as possible to the outdoor events, cheering for them dressed in whatever colors were found on the uniforms. So many concerts, induction ceremonies, and sporting events over the years, and she promised to continue to watch from above.
Family is everything to Patty. As the kids grew and made their separate ways with spouses and families of their own, Patty held the family together with her Sunday evening dinners for another 20 years. All families were invited and encouraged to attend; it was a ritual and expected. Dinner was open to all friends and most often there were 1 or 2 seated at the table and again welcomed the next Sunday. For the last 3 years Patty was not capable of continuing the Sunday ritual and quite often it was taken over by Kim or Julie and greatly appreciated by Mom as something she knew was very important to our family. Mom’s favorite TV show was Blue Bloods and her favorite scenes those of the family dinner table at the end of each show. Certainly she saw our Sunday family dinners in those scenes; all present and invoking one of the grandchildren to lead us in grace.
Patty’s cohorts from HJH expanded their “choir practice” group to a spin-off group of very close ladies who call themselves “GGW”. The interpretation of that must be pried from an extant member; Mary, Dana, Tammy, Deb or Kelli. They have enjoyed their sister-hood, talking through problems and solutions with monthly home-hosted meetings of food and wine. During her last few years, the GGW has been a source of additional love providing meals, personalized gifts and most appreciated, the true love of friendship.
An additional group of lasting friends were a unique collection of coaches and officials’ wives. After each athletic event, coaches met and commiserated. Their wives were relegated to another space and found their trials of supporting a coach was a thread that bound them together. Darlene, Joyce, Dot, Carlie, Sandy, Judy and Sharon can pick up the phone and visit as if it were yesterday, they were at the gym.
Neighbors who have remained close in their special ways have been ready and willing to complete many of the tasks that became impossible for us in later life. Sincere thanks go to Ron, Sandy, Marlene, Marissa, Aletha, and Aaron.
Patty was a long-time member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO, Chapter BK). Her PEO friends were unbelievably devoted and committed to her. As Terry became unable to drive out of town any longer, her PEO friends Ann, Ellen and Laurie volunteered to drive her to Missoula, Great Falls, and Butte for doctor appointments many, many times. Patty cherished her time with them. Her PEO sisters made a meal train for us as she began hospice, which has been a Godsend. Thank you all.
On hospice, Patty cried and laughed with her most cherished friends of her sorority and college as well as those from Helena. One of Patty’s favorites from her literary world describes “a friend is one who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.” So many tender touches in these last days.
Patty’s advice would be to create friendships, then embellish them, and work to keep them. You will be able to help them when they need it, and they will support you when you need them. “A friend will never be in your way unless you are falling down.”
Terry tenderly whispered to Patty often in the last weeks that she was his very best friend. He explained to us kids that “as my best friend she understood my past, believed in my future, and accepted me just the way I was”.
Patty is survived by her sister Kathy Miller, now of Lubbock, TX, her devoted husband Terry, daughter Julie (Chuck) Ladd and bonus grandsons Tanner and Tyler, daughter Lorie (Vern) Adkins and granddaughters Jessica and Emily, and son Jeff (Kim) and grandsons Tyler and Cole.
“When you miss her, close your eyes and think of her, and you will hear her voice” as was described of Grandmother on Blue Bloods’ final show.
Rest peacefully dear momma, wife, sister, grandma, and friend to many. We will think of you often with love.
A vigil will be held at 6:00 p.m. on January 13, 2025 at Anderson Stevenson Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave, at 6:00 pm. Funeral mass at St. Helena Cathedral January 14, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. A reception will follow the Mass in the Brondel Center of the Cathedral.  Burial will take place at Resurrection Cemetery following the reception. The vigil will be live streamed above on this website and the Mass will be live streamed  at www.sthelenas.org.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to PEO Chapter BK c/o Ellen Vogelsang 706 Joslyn St, Helena MT 59601 or to God’s Love of Helena online or 533 North Last Chance Gulch 59601.

Service Schedule

Vigil

6:00 p.m.

Monday January 13, 2025

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave

Helena, Montana 59602

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Funeral Mass

12:00 p.m.

Tuesday January 14, 2025

Cathedral of St. Helena

530 N. Ewing Street

Helena, Montana 59601

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Reception

Following the Mass

Tuesday January 14, 2025

Brondel Center

530 N. Ewing Street

Helena, Montana 59601

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Burial

Following the Reception

Tuesday January 14, 2025

Resurrection Cemetery

Helena, Montana 59602

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