Mary Inlow

Mary Inlow, 97, of Bozeman, passed away Friday, August 21, 2015 in Bozeman, MT. She was born on May 9, 1918 in Glasgow, Scotland to Jane (McPherson) and William Roy.

At the age of 4, Mary and her family emigrated from Scotland to San Pedro, CA. She was raised on Terminal Island, graduating from San Pedro High School in 1935.

Following graduation Mary went to work for Ma Bell Telephone Company for $16 a week. In 1942 Mary joined to US Navy and served our country as a WAVE as a physical therapist at the Naval Hospital in Long Beach, CA.

Mary married Louie Ritchie in 1946, they had one daughter Catherine “Kathy”. The couple later divorced. Kathy died at the age of 32, leaving behind her 8 year old daughter Melissa. Mary immediately took up the care of Melissa, while working as an admitting clerk and the Gardena Memorial Hospital.

In 1984 Mary married Harold Inlow together they raised Melissa. Mary and Harold moved to Bozeman, MT to be near Melissa in 1993.

Her community activities included Eastern Star, Pt Furman Chapter- Past Chief Daughter of the Daughters of Scotia, volunteer with the hospital auxiliary at the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital.

Mary enjoyed cruises, giving dinner parties, crocheting and knitting, reading, making candy and fruit cake to give to family and friends. Christmas of 2006 Mary made 54 lbs of Fruitcake and 55 lbs of chocolate for her family and friends. Mary’s greatest joy in life was her family Melissa, Ron and Cyrus. Cyrus was the light of her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband Harold, daughter Catherine, brother Bill and sister Jeannie.

Survivors include her granddaughter and grandson-in-law Melissa and Ron Banta, great grandson Cyrus all of Bozeman.

A celebration of Mary’s life will be held 1:00 pm, Saturday, September 5, 2015 at Dahl Funeral Chapel, burial of the urn to follow at Sunset Hills Cemetery with military honors.

Memorials may be made in her name to the Widow and Orphan Fund, Los Angles Fireman’s Relief Assoc., PO Box 91-1113, Commerce, CA 90091.