February 25th, 2015

Helen Elizabeth Greany Gill
Helen Gill, 1924-2015.
Helen Elizabeth Greany Gill died Feb.16, 2015 at the Touchmark Assisted Living Facility surrounded by her family.
Helen was born March 26, 1924 in Hudson, Iowa to William and Gertrude Greany. Her family moved to Montana in 1938. She graduated from Elliston High School in 1942 and then attended Missoula Business College. Her brother Byron assisted Helen in obtaining her first job in Fort Peck. After Fort Peck she moved to Utah and began government service at the Ogden Arsenal, Ogden, as a Clerk Stenographer. In 1944 she transferred to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada working in the personnel department for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Her job was to interview applicants seeking employment on the Alcan Highway. In 1945 the Alcan Highway was sold to the Canadian Government and Helen elected to return to Montana.
From 1945-1949 Helen worked as a Clerk Stenographer in the Registrar of Motor Vehicle Office, Deer Lodge, where she met her husband to be, Edward. From 1949-1983 she served as County Executive Director in the County ASCS office, Deer Lodge. The ASCS is a division of the Department of Agriculture.
On August 28,1948 she married Edward “Chub” Gill at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Anaconda, and they enjoyed 66 years together. In 1958, they were blessed with a son, Edward Gill Jr. 
Helen was active in her church, served as director of the Woman’s Club, managed  the “New To You” Thrift Store and was an active city council member. Her contributions to the Deer Lodge community were many. When not volunteering she enjoyed sewing, golfing, snow skiing, playing a good game of cards, spending time at their Hauser Lake property, baking lots of incredible chocolate chip cookies and spoiling her two grandsons. 
Helen was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Dan.
Survivors are Edward, her husband; a son, Edward Gill Jr. (Kathy) of Shoreline, Wash.; grandsons, Matthew of Washington DC and Marcus of Shoreline; Helen’s sister, Regina of Billings, and brothers Paul of Drummond, Byron of Spokane, Wash., and Dick of Rapid City, S.D.
Helen loved her family, particularly keeping track of everyone (including 23 nieces and nephews). She also loved the Deer Lodge community, which she was a vibrant part of for so many wonderful years. Helen will be forever in our hearts. A big thank you to the Touchmark staff for their kind and loving care and to Rocky Mountain Hospice for their care and compassion in Helen’s final days. A special thank you to Mark and Jim White for their ongoing help and kindnesses over the past few years.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Jewell Funeral Home. 
Memorials may be sent to Immaculate Conception Church, 605 Clark Street, Deer Lodge, MT, 59722 or donor’s choice.    

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Death notice: Debra Nelson
Debra Nelson, 52 of Anaconda passed away on February 14 in the Anaconda Community Hospital. At her request cremation has taken place. A memorial service and obituary will be published at a later date.