Frances Mary (Barbero) Hill, age 88, of Broadus passed away November 9, 2012 at Powder River Manor.
Frances was born to John and Mary (Chiesa) Barbero on September 7, 1924 at the Barbero home near Boyes, MT. Both her mother and father immigrated from Italy to the United States. John’s homestead bordered Secondo Chiesa’s (Mary’s father) homestead.
Frances attended school at the Duncan Creek School, graduating from the 8th grade in 1938. She received her high school education at Broadus High School, graduating in 1942. In June, 1943, Frances went to Billings, MT to attend normal college. August, 1943 saw Frances teaching the Hay Creek School. Following her year of teaching school, Frances took over management of the dining room at the Powder River Hotel. She left this position in 1946, following her marriage to William Louis “Blackie” Hill. At the time of their marriage Blackie was working for Gulf Research and Development. A daughter, Darlene Kaye Hill was born in 1947.
Frances worked for Christianson’s for a short time and then was employed by Rues Ready to Wear in 1952. She worked for them for twenty-two years. In 1972, Frances, due to Blackie’s ill health, helped drive the mail route for a time when needed until Blackie passed away. The Rue’s gave Frances the chance to purchase the store in 1974, which she did. She enjoyed running the store and being able to help all her customers, especially the men when they came in to shop for their wives at Christmas. She also enjoyed going to the Clothing Markets and being able to see all of the new clothing lines and picking out particular items that she knew her customers would like.
Frances was a member in a bowling league for a number of years and a VFW Auxiliary member. She especially loved going to dances and listening to music. She was very happy when someone was at the Manor and playing the piano or some other type of music. She would dance to the music by herself or if her friend Hazel was there, they would dance. On her 88th birthday on September 7th, she had her last dance thanks to Hazel. She and some friends were always ready to take the trip to Deadwood to have some lunch or supper and doing some gambling at the slot machines. They always had a lot of fun even if they didn’t hit the “jackpot.” In 2002, Frances sold the store to Karen Perleberg and retired to work in her yard mowing and getting her flowers to grow and bloom. She continued the trips to Deadwood whenever anyone was ready to go along. In December of 2007, Frances decided that she would like to spend the winter months at Powder River Manor rather than being home alone through the winter. Spring, 2008, found Frances deciding that she enjoyed being in the manor and chose to remain there permanently. She passed away very peacefully Friday night, November 9, 2012, at the Powder River Manor.
Frances is survived by her daughter Darlene and her husband, Warren Wash; sisters Angie Bogner and Lela Bone; brother Charlie Barbero and wife Carole along with several nieces and nephews, step-granddaughter Kim and husband Jeff Hostetter, Tanner, Molly and Maggie and step-granddaughter Cheryl and husband Jay McClure, Josh, Bridget, Jayson and Christopher, Her husband Blackie and grandson, Todd Harris, preceded her in death.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Powder River Congregational Church in Broadus. Interment will follow in the family lot of the Valley View Cemetery in Broadus. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Broadus is in charge of the arrangements.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Powder River Manor.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday November 13, 2012
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday November 14, 2012
Powder River Congregational Church
Broadus, Montana 59317
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday November 13, 2012
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, Montana 59317
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday November 14, 2012
Powder River Congregational Church
Broadus, Montana 59317
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Betty Vail says
Darlene,
Sorry to read about your mom. I so enjoyed her and her store. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lewis & Marla says
So sorry Darlene your Mom was such an awsome lady!!! Losing your parents is such a rough thing. I bet her and Todd are having a great time. love ya
Gerald & Janet Himelspach says
Our sincere sympathy, Darlene. I always enjoyed your Mom in the store, she was an awesome lady. Losing your Mom is rough, and my thoughts are with you.
Carol Schneidt says
Darlene, My thoughts and prayers are with you! Your mom was a great lady and a good friend!
tammy says
so sorry hear about your mom she was an amazing lady!
Karen Gunther says
Fran was like a Mom to me as I spend a lot of time with Darlene when we were kids, My sympathy goes to Darlene and all her family. She was a wonderful lady and looked so nice every time you saw her and Fran’s store was a wonderful place to shop when sh had the store.
Dan and Lisa Lynch says
So sorry to hear about Fran, we will miss her at the nursing home when we are there singing and making ginerbread houses, she was a sweet lady!
Kirk and Ann Will says
Fran was beautiful inside and out. She was an inspiration for all women to look up to and treated everyone equal. Will always remember going to her store with my dad, George, on Christmas Eve day to shop for my mom. Fran always welcomed us with that huge big smile that warmed your soul. May she rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this most difficult time.
Vic and Laura Lee Ullrich says
Warren and Darlene: I have a heavy heart as I hear of Frans passing. She was a very special person to me and a great mentor over the years. I learned alot from her and always admired her savvy and her wisdom. She was a great role model to other women in business and i honestly think of her everytime I use curling ribbon. She left a big mark on our town and will be remembered fondly by all who knew her. My deepest sympathy to you and all of the family. Will keep all of you in my prayers.
Diana Edwards says
I am so sorry, Darlene. Your mom was always a very special, classy lady! i remember her radiant smile, always dressed to perfection; I remember your mom and dad dancing at Boyes Hall (when he wasn’t playing drums). I am sure your loss is hard, but she is at peace now and holding hands w/Todd. All our love, Francis and Diana
Allyson Kane says
Very sorry to hear about your Mom, she was always a very classy, sweet lady. It is so hard to loose you parents, I hope it helps to know we are thinking of you at this difficult time.
With sympathy, John and Allyson
Bonnie Sprague says
Darlene and Warren,
I send my love in this time of loss of such a dear one to us all! I will miss Aunt Francie and her wonderful smile and big hug. She would wink at me even the last time I saw her in May. She brought the world of appreciation of clothing and design to the forefront for me and she played a role in naming me after a country singer, for she loved her music and loved to dance. I still remember those days at the community halls when I was little and Blackie was playing music and us kids eventually crashed on the benches as they played and danced into the night! Great memories of big smiles and fun times. The experiences in the store with her will never be forgotten. Our whole family will miss her greatly and the whole community as well I send my love and call any time and if you need anything, please call. Love, Bonnie
Tami McCullough says
God Bless You, Fran!
Phyllis Wilson says
What fun Fran and I used to have when there used to br aa Christmas tree with names on it of the needy. We had so much fun fixing up packages for those people. She was always so generous in her giving, so between the two of us we enjoyed being Santas. I will miss her very much and do extend my sympathies to you and the rest of her family. So sorry for your loss.
Anita Wetherelt says
Please just know that our sympathy goes to all of the family. So very many memories to now consider. Our best to all of you.
Carmen Knutson says
I got to know Fran when I started working at the Manor. She was THE best hugger and always had a smile for me. I shared her love of flowers and we use to visit over coffee. I will miss her. My sympathy to her family.
Judy Denson-Keller says
Broadus lost another wonderful person on November 9th. I will always remember Fran with a smile on her face and a hug to give. We always loved shopping at her store espectially at Christmas time. She had the most wonderful gifts. This lady had a heart of pure gold. May God Bless all of you at this difficult time, and may Fran rest in peace.
Bev Schaffer says
Fran was a wonderful lady, enjoyed her so much when I worked at the Manor. She loved to bring me flowers out of the patio garden, we would put them in a glass of water, and set them beside her plate at her table. She will be missed!
June Minow says
So sorry to hear about Fran. I have fond memories of her at the store. She was always dressed to perfection, fun to visit with and I loved looking at her merchandise. I usually found something I had to have, and it was a nice place to shop for Christmas presents. RIP, Fran.
Joanne Chiesa Smyle says
We were so glad to be able to stop and see Frances this summer. I have so many memories of her, what a great Lady she was…..Rest in Peace Cousin….I know your picking flowers in Heaven now.
Jerry Smyle says
Charlie and Darlene,
Sorry to hear about the loss of your sister and mother. She was a wonderful lady. I have had the opportunity to slip in to the manor a couple times in the past years to say hello on my way to Spearfish and she still had that great smile! We are happy to know that she passed peacefully and is with her Lord.
Fatma says
We totally fovigre you, of course!LOLI’m glad you’ve been able to spend some quality time with family!Me? I’ve been spending some time with family, but not so quality. I think we’d all like some vacay away from homework and daily stresses.