Dorothy L. French

Visitation: Monday, June 14thfrom 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home.

Funeral services: Tuesday, June 15th at 12:30 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Chapel.

Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

How do you say good-bye to such a remarkable lady of 98 years? Our mother, Dorothy Louise French, grandmother and friend went to her beloved on June 11, 2010 at the Waterford. We bid her farewell with heavy hearts and we will all miss her very much.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents Louis and Annie (Skow) Borgstede, her husband Ray S. French, sister, Laverne Borgstede, brother Bernard Borgstede and her beloved great granddaughter Jamie Rae Ransier.Surviving Dorothy are her two daughters Juanita Chovanak (Andre) Helena, MT and Judy Tucker (Earl) Palmer, AK.

She is also survived by her sister Virginia Fuqua, Panama City, FL. She has seven grandchildren: Of the Chovanaks: Cathy Ransier, Curt (Maggie) Chovanak, Dan Chovanak and Dave (Marcy) Chovanak, all of Montana. Of the Tuckers: Lisa Sindorf, Stephen Tucker, and Wendy Tucker (John) Lewis, all of Alaska. She has nine great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren.

Dorothy held special feelings in her heart for her nephew and wife Bill and Debbie Berg and their children; her two favorite nieces Barb Buck and Connie Casey all a huge part of her life and happiness. Maryann and Steve Rice and Ashley Zuelke were very special friends. As was Mike and Gail Oelrich and family, next door neighbors and they became Dorothys security blanket, always there and ready to help; those sidewalks didn't just shovel themselves.

Dorothy was born March 21, 1912 in Garfield, Utah to Louis and Annie (Skow) Borgstede. The family moved to Helena, MT when Dorothy was in the first grade. Her Mother, Annie, died when Dorothy was only twelve and she helped raise her brother Bernard, two years younger. She attended local Helena schools and graduated from Helena High School in 1930. She then went to work at First National Bank as a switchboard operator.It was during the time she worked at the bank that she met her future husband Raymond S. French, a local plumber and 15 years her senior. They fell in love and were married in 1932, and as the norm of the time, they moved into the family home of Rays Mother. It was in this very home that Dorothy had lived for 78 years! Dorothy and Ray had two daughters, Juanita and Judy born eight years apart. Even though she had two children to raise, Dorothy was also responsible for Grandmas care for many years and she loved her dearly.Dorothys little house was always clean and orderly and, oh, remember the wonderful home cooked meals. And well never forget her canning delectables peaches, pears, apricots and jams, all neatly in their places on the shelves.

One of our fondest memories is Dorothy relaxing on her large screened-in front porch on summer evenings, just enjoying the people walking to the baseball games or concerts in Memorial Park.Dorothy always allowed her wonderful husband Ray, plenty of time for fishing and hunting. This was a very special time for her and her daughters to share together. On these Saturdays, they would dress in their best and walk uptown to do their shopping. An ice cream cone or a root beer float was such a treat on a hot summer afternoon. Oh, those were the "good old days".

Dorothys life was shaken when Ray died at the tender age of 63; she was only 49 years old. However, being the kind of resilient women she was, she learned to drive and found herself a job at Lewis and Clark County Assessors office. She drove herself to work even on the worst winter days, and boy did we have winter back then. She worked at the assessors office until she retired at the ripe young age of 75. She even mowed her large lawn until then! What a tough lady and one to be respected.

After her retirement, she found time on her hands, so she took on another job babysitting a new baby, a little girl who Dorothy kept until she started school. Dorothy was a creative person who had many hobbies; crocheting beautiful Afghans, making unique Christmas ornaments, word puzzle books, cribbage and other mind games. She was constantly keeping her mind active. Weve recently heard the saying chick magnet well Dorothy was a people magnet! Anyone who met her instantly loved her. What was it? Her contagious smile, her ability to listen, or was it simply she accepted people for who they are? It doesnt really matter, what matters is she was lovely, endearing, beautiful and forever gracious. Can I make you a cup of coffee? She would ask whenever someone would pop in.For all those people whom you have touched in your life, you will always be loved.

A special thank you to all the staff of the 2nd floor at the Waterford, what would we have done without all of you? To our special angel Marie Lavinder from her brown cows to her endearing ok, my dear we will remember you always for your love and compassion.

Visitation will be from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. Monday, June 14th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 15th Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A reception will be held in The Forum at Waterford beginning at 2:30 p.m. The family would like donations in Dorothy name to Hospice of St. Peters 2475 Broadway Street Helena, Montana 59601 or to the Salvation Army 1905 Henderson Helena, Montana 59601. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.