Mary Healow

Mary G. Healow was born in Bozeman on June 17, 1918 the only child of Harold and Julia (Olson) McLees. Known in her youth as “Snooks,” Mary’s childhood was spent on a ranch in the Madison Valley. She attended a one room elementary school before graduating from Manhattan High School. Mary then moved to Billings and attended Billings Business College. She was working as a secretary in the insurance business when she met R.E. “Bob” Healow. They married May 30, 1941 and raised their 6 children in Billings. Bob worked in the trucking industry and Mary was a homemaker until she began working at Coles Department Store in 1970. At Coles she started in alterations and worked her way upstairs to Buyer in the Children’s Department. Mary was a gifted seamstress and a great baker. She loved to play bridge and dance, exercise and jog. Always interested in health and fitness, Mary learned to swim in her 40‘s, ride a bike in her 60’s and even taught exercise classes in her 80’s. Mary was an upbeat, positive, people-person. Upon retirement in 1979, Mary and Bob moved to the Phoenix, AZ area where their circle of friends expanded. Bob died in November of 1992. Mary moved back to Billings in June of 1997. In 2005 she returned to Bozeman and lived in the Gallatin Rest Home until her death February 10, 2012. Her wit and charm remained with her to the end. Mary was preceded in death by her parents Harold and Julia, husband Bob, youngest daughter Barbara Peterson in 2004, sons-in-law Donald Roberts in 2005 and Dr. John Gilpin in 2007. Mary is survived by daughter Patricia Roberts and her children Larry Roberts, Laura Roberts and Linda (Dan) Gray; daughter Michal Gilpin (Steve Tester) and her children Stacy (Kirsten) Stoltenow, Gigi (Barry) Howland, Tana (Charles) Cornelius and Tony (Julene) Gilpin; daughter Pamela (Kevin) Thane and their children Shawn Thane, Adam Thane, Jay Thane and Kristi Thane; son John (Pat) Healow and their children Julia (Ryan) Johnerson, Angela Healow and Lisa Healow (Rader Crockett); son Tim (Angel) Healow and their children Michele Healow, Marianne Healow and Robert Healow; son-in-law Mike (Rose) Peterson and his children Matthew Peterson and Christopher Peterson; and 16 great-grandchildren. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated for Mary at 10:00 am Saturday, March 3, 2012 at Holy Rosary Parish /Bozeman Catholic Community Center, 210 S. Grand in Bozeman. Inurnment will be 10:00 am Saturday, July 28, 2012 at Mountain View Cemetery in Billings. The family will be forever grateful for the loving care provided by the Gallatin Rest Home Staff. Memorials may be made to Cancer Support Community 102 S. 11th Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715