She won the purple ribbon. Whether raising her family, sewing, making crafts, baking, caring for Dad, raising her garden, or canning jams, Lucy Magalsky was the top, Best of Show.
Born July 1, 1953 to Earl and Lila Green in Glendive, MT. She attended Union School for elementary and then to Circle High School, graduating in 1971. She went on to attend business school in Denver for a year.
Her first date with Jim was a double date. The problem was that Mom was with the other guy. Months later Jim asked her out to the Terry Drive-In and they married two years later on July 14, 1972, two weeks after her 19th birthday. With 3 kids before age 26, life got busy quickly and she grew up fast.
Life was hard 22 miles from town on a gravel road. And then Dad went down. Mayo clinic called it Multiple Sclerosis. We called it hell. Nonetheless, she persevered and worked hard to keep the family afloat and care for Dad. She and LaDonna Haber founded Redwater Buying Club to help bring fresh produce and wholesome products to her family and hundreds of others across McCone County. She raised food in the garden. We had chickens and hogs. She sewed clothes for us kids. She did what needed to be done for her family. Her kids cannot recall a single event that she and Dad ever missed. Whether it be sports events, concerts, graduations, plays, or parent-teacher conferences, she always showed up to support us.
She spent countless hours hunched over the sewing machine and in the kitchen canning or baking so we had clothes to wear and food to eat. This hard work not only sustained the family but also allowed her one of her greatest joys, entering all her handiwork in local fairs. This resulted in many Best of Show purple ribbons, for which she was so proud.
She was first to volunteer to lead church activities, wanting to serve with her organizational skills and creative gifts. She was incredibly talented in so many things. Music, sewing, gardening, and crafts. It seemed to feed her soul. At home, she took little breaks from her daily work and could be found at the piano pounding out chords to church songs. And on special occasions the accordion would come out. She spent hours and hours at her sewing machine surrounded by fabrics, ribbons, patterns, and thread. She was always coming up with some new creation or project. For our birthdays, she made amazingly decorated birthday cakes. Each one designed to our specific likes. She was industrious and hard-working, and she learned to do pretty much anything that was needed, from plumbing, to operating skill saws, to combining, to changing tires. Whatever it took. She never backed down from hard work.
When we kids left the nest she and Dad headed south. Three different RVs over 19 years took them to NM, AZ, CA and thirty-six other states as far away as Georgia. Their joke was that they would strap a snow shovel to the back of the RV and when somebody asked them what it was, they knew they were far enough south to stop for the winter! In the summers, they came north and visited kids and 11 grandkids, and Mom gardened at home in the country.
Her last few years were spent back home in Circle, where she worked at the Senior Center and helped elderly in town with cleaning and driving them to appointments or running errands. In her spare time she was quilting, sewing, or reading books or magazines about health and natural remedies.
On February 17, 2023 God ushered her to her heavenly home. She left us sooner than we would have liked, but we know that she is with the Lord, free from the struggles of this world and with a fully renewed body and mind.
Those that love her who remain include:
Devoted husband Jim Magalsky
Son, Michael James Magalsky, wife Lovena, and grandchildren Aaron, Grace, Abigail, and Gabriel, of Boise, Idaho.
Daughter, Lynette Maria Champlin, husband Nathan, and granddaughters Sara, Leah, Mikayla, and Olivia of Billings, Montana.
Son, Kelly Edward Magalsky, wife Darcy, and grandchildren Connor, Hailey, and Ryan of Cheney, Washington
Mother, Lila Green of Billings, MT
Brother, Allen (Phyllis) Green of Billings, MT
Sister, Luanna (Robert) Diller of Silverton, OR
Sister-in-law, Shannon Green of Billings, MT
Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
She meets those who have gone ahead.
Her Dad, Earl Green
Brother, Jimmy Green
Don Green, Grandfather
Charlotte Green, Grandmother
Floyd Quick, Grandfather
Clarissa Quick, Grandmother
Rest in peace, Mama, until we meet again in heaven.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the McCone County Fair Board, PO Box 200, Circle, MT 59215.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, 2/27/2023 at 1:00 pm at the Faith Assembly of God Church in Circle, Montana. A luncheon will follow at the church. Interment will take place on Monday, 2/27/2023 at 4:30 pm at the family plot in the Riverview Cemetery.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 PM
Monday February 27, 2023
Faith Assembly of God Church
505 Sullivan Avenue
Circle, Montana 59215
Luncheon
Following Funeral Service
Monday February 27, 2023
Faith Assembly of God Church
505 Sullivan Avenue
Circle, Montana 59215
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:00 PM
Monday February 27, 2023
Faith Assembly of God Church
505 Sullivan Avenue
Circle, Montana 59215
Luncheon
Following Funeral Service
Monday February 27, 2023
Faith Assembly of God Church
505 Sullivan Avenue
Circle, Montana 59215
Share
Pauline Gackle says
Lucy, was an awesome example of a woman of God! A great mother and a servant spirit giving all she had in sharing her life with her partner & mate, Jim. You all can be very proud of the inheritance of serving Christ as she imitated the Jesus she served. Our condolences are with you all in this difficult journey. However, in the celebration of Lucy’s home going, what a joyful occasion it is!! Love you all very much!!
Robin Wolff says
Rodd and I were Lucy’s classmates at Circle High-class of 71. I am so sorry to hear of Lucy’s passing and extend our sympathy to Jim and all Lucy’s family.
Patti Goroski says
I remember Lucy and Jim coming to the Wibaux County Fair and they were always so kind. I was so very impressed with the pages upon pages of entries they both had. Sending my deepest sympathy, Patti Goroski, Wibaux County Extension Office.
Connie Undem says
When I worked at the Dawson County Fair, I always enjoyed visiting with Lucy and helping her with her many exhibits! I was always amazed how she able to have so many exhibits. Her purple ribbons were truly earned! Prayer for the Magalsky family.
Kaylee Kleinsasser (Kountz) says
I was always amazed by all her fair entries. Beautiful tribute, so sorry for your loss.
Maureen Stiles says
Dear Family of Lucy,
You have our heartfelt sympathy in the death of your beloved, Lucy! She truly was an amazing, Christian lady! I think Proverbs 31:20-31 describe her pretty well! Know she was an ambitious, hardworking, talented lady who loved the Lord, her family, & friends. She was truly a servant of the Lord! I’m sure When she met God in heaven, he said, “We’ll done thou good & faithful servant!”
With love, prayers, & sympathy,
Jim & Maureen Stiles
Mary Dillon says
My deepest sympathy to all the Magalsky family. It is comforting knowing that we will see our loved ones again.
Your family is in my prayers. Mary Dillon
Bob Phalen says
Like you have well put it, Lucy was a Proverbs 31 woman. I can’t say that I ever heard he complain, she was always like a fart in a skillet as my Dad would say. I remember the time we borrowed Connie’s grandpa’s pickup and came up to play games and was stranded overnight because of a blizzard, what youth will do for you. God Bless you Jim, Mike Lynette, and Kelly. I won’t be able to make it but you will be in my prayers.
Bob Phalen
Jerry Meissner says
I do not know how to even start to convey the impact Lucy had on this community. As we all seem to slow down, this women seemed to speed up.