Shirley Ruth “Mickey” Coyle Elliott passed away on November 30th from complications of COPD at Rocky Mountain Care Center in Helena, Montana at age 89. She was born July 8, 1931 in Davenport, Iowa to Claude Coyle and Ruth Fletcher Coyle, the fifth of seven children. Her father’s railroad job took the family to Des Moines, Iowa and then to Helena where she would live the rest of her life.
After graduating from Cathedral High School in 1949, she worked several jobs until accepting employment at Fort Harrison where she would meet her future husband. Mickey married Curtis Elliott on May 12, 1961 bringing his two young daughters to the marriage. When the girls were older, she returned to work at Fort Harrison working as a pharmacy tech for many years. Her husband Curtis continued working at Fort Harrison until retirement. He passed away on July 20,1982.
In later years an opportunity came along to coordinate weddings at Saint Helena Cathedral that kept her busy for a while. At age 70 she finally was truly retired! Mickey was proud of her Irish heritage and as a faithful Catholic became a daily Communicant. Her quick wit and wonderful sense of humor were enjoyed by all who spent time with her. A truly cheerful giver, she was always helping a friend or family member with whatever was needed. She loved traveling, visiting with family and friends, the daily crossword puzzles and playing cards. Visits from the daughters and grandchildren were very happy times for her.
Mickey was preceded in death by her parents Claude and Ruth, husband Curtis, siblings and spouses Patricia Coyle, James Coyle (Marjorie), Betty Noel Kirwin (Spike; Tom), Mary Belle Holshue (Edward), Patrick Coyle and brother-in-law Jerry Trudnowski. She is survived by her sister Cecelia “Sally” Trudnowski of Spokane, Washington, sister-in-law Patty Coyle of Missoula, daughters Olivia (Vern) Brown of Butte, Paula Rowe of Butte, grandchildren Benjamin, Monida (Adam), Timothy, Melody (Trevor), Jessica, Angelica, Olivia, Jonah, Amanda, and 10 great-grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews including godson Michael Trudnowski.
A special thank you to nieces Sandi Benson and Mary Ann Noel for helping Mickey stay independent as long as possible. Thank you also to the nurses and staff at Rocky Mountain Care Center for care of Mickey the last year and a half.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12 p.m. on Thursday, July 8th at the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing Street. Inurnment will follow the Mass at Resurrection Cemetery. A reception will follow the inurnment at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave.
To you, Mickey, an Irish toast for a life well lived — “May joy and peace surround you, contentment latch your door. And happiness be with you now and bless you evermore.”
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Thursday July 8, 2021
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Inurnment
Following the Mass
Thursday July 8, 2021
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Interment
Thursday July 8, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Thursday July 8, 2021
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Inurnment
Following the Mass
Thursday July 8, 2021
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Interment
Thursday July 8, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
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Sandi Coyle Benson says
Words are plenty to say what you meant to me Aunt Mickey. I so enjoyed being your sidekick for a while whether shopping, doctor or a stop by the Parrot to have lunch. I loved you so much and I’m happy we were able to express those words together. Although I miss you I know you are now free. Your spirit will live in those of us who cherished you as our Aunt. Breath freely and be at peace… “God Bless”
Paulette Brown says
You were a dear friend of my sister Ione Olson. I missed seeing you this past year at church. God bless you and grant you peace.
Nathan Dudley says
So much fun together and soo man stories. I miss hearing stories of your youth while drinking beer together. Soo many wonderful memories with you Aunt Mickey.
Tim Trudnowski says
What a special Irish lady! I always enjoyed listening to the stories of old and memories to last a lifetime. We always seemed to go out to eat when I visited. And we always found time to toast the present. The last time I visited Mickey I was with my mom Sally and we snuck some Irish whiskey into Rockey Mountain to have a drink but forgot glasses! We “borrowed” some glasses and all enjoyed a bit of the Irish. Mickey may your journey continue on and on and on …….. until we meet again. I will miss you. Your favorite nephew Timothy Jacob.
Verne Brown says
Mickey had spontaneous humor. In 1980 Olivia and I accompanied them (Curtis and Mickey) to the Bay Area and while at Fisherman’s Wharf a mime snuck up on her. When she turned around she was momentarily startled, but then blurted off a dialogue with them mime that left us rolling on the ground laughing. That will be missed.
Duane Longfellow says
Always the best French toast! I miss my Central school days when I would walk over and have lunch with you and GG! Then cookies on my way home!
Tom Erving says
What a beautiful tribute to a special person. I was Mickey’s landlord for 24 wonderful years, she always kept me on the right track. Sure going to miss her, she was like my second mom. Always told her I loved her after I did something for her. I know how good of care her nieces Sandi and Mary Ann took of her. It was nice getting to know both of them. My heart and prayers go out to Mickey’s family. She will be forever in my Heart.
Tom Erving
Rob Creel says
A very special lady for sure! You’ll be greatly missed, Mickey!
Kelly Tomaszewski says
Too many good times to write about. We could certainly write a book. The days when the Coyle kids were younger and thought Aunt Mickey and Uncle Curtis lived in a mansion with a driveway that went around the house. Plus living quarters for Gramma Coyle. I spent many birthdays in that house celebrating with Gramma Coyle as I was honored to share the same date. Mickey always made sure I had my own cake and even made my first communion there.
Then all of the great St Patrick Day family events that Mickey was very much apart of.
Top of the morning to you Mickey. I know that you and dad are up there drinking some Irish Whiskey.
YOU WILL BE MISSED!
Karen Mikota says
To all of the Coyles young and old. We the Leapharts and Mikotas in Helena are trying to write a letter and send it off to Sally lauding all the many wonderful bits and pieces that made up your fabulous Mickey. Everything keeps being returned to my home. We shall find a way.
Mike Trudnowski says
Karen
For Sally’s address please contact me at mtrudnowski@mcsmt.org
Mike Trudnowski
Mike Trudnowski says
On March 27th of this year I awoke to the thought that I wouldn’t receive a birthday phone call from Mickey, as she had done many times since my birth. And I am not the only one she called on their birthday or touched in some way or another. Mickey was a person that wanted to be in our lives. Just as Christ taught us to be in right relationship with others, she wanted relationship with us. However she could, she was going to be part of our lives, whether it be family, friends, co-workers or just someone she met at the store. She would begin a conversation and then allow us to chime in our thoughts. She would listen and then give her ‘two cents’ worth. And then, the conversation would continue. When someone was not in right relationship with others, Mickey would step in and try to bring them back together. It didn’t always work out but she kept trying and that taught me perseverance.
As I began teaching Theology at Loyola Sacred Heart HS, Mickey and I began talking more about the Catholic faith. We talked about anything and everything. She always wanted to know a little bit more each day about God and the teachings of the faith. We would start talking about family issues and inevitably end up talking about death and resurrection. Those conversations made me a better Catholic and pushed me to learn more and helped me become a better teacher. I thank God each and every day for putting Mickey into my life. She was a true Godmother, as one who helped me to become closer to God.
Mickey touched many lives and there are stories out there that we will never know, but I know in my heart that she would want us to fight for our families and keep bringing people together in right relationship.
Thank you Mickey (Shirley Ruth Coyle Elliott) for all you did for me, and for all you did for our families.
Love Mike
Sally Trudnowski says
To my dearest sister Mickey,
Started many letters to you and haven’t got through any of them.
But now I need to tell you how much I miss you and love you. Our memories go back so far. You always watched over Pat and I. You continued to do so even after I was married to my love “Jerry”. How you loved Michael after we brought him back to Helena when he was 3 weeks old. You took him everywhere, to Mass during the week and to all the novenas. I know you had him on his knees at 6 months.
You helped raise all of our 6 children. I know we have talked about that one time and I thanked you over and over for helping me.
Then you met Curt and his 2 girls came into your life and you were so happy. You were the best mom ever to them. We had so much fun when we were together. Even after we moved to Spokane in 1966 we visited back and forth for years and years.
Your faith and love of the Holy Family is one of the many things I loved about you. Plus, your compassion for others in our family and all of your friends.
I’m glad we had our birthday card (started in 1969). Not a day has gone by since November 30th, 2020 that I haven’t talked to you, I miss all of our phone conversations, our singing old songs, and you never missed a word. I miss our praying together. We both had many people to pray for.
I feel so empty inside but also so thankful I have you in my life.
Joseph or “Jofus” as you called him sometimes, sends all his love. He misses you too.
Many family and friends will come together on your 90th birthday (7-8-2021) to honor you and I’ll toast you.
I still can’t believe you’re gone from us. I know you’re happy now and in no pain and mind as sharp as ever. But I wished I could have been there last November 30th, 2020. I’ll say goodbye now. I love you so much. It won’t be that long and I’ll be with you and Jerry and all of our family.
Kisses and Hugs
Love, Jofus and I
I’m singing “My Wild Irish Rose”