Marie Lynam

Funeral Mass: Monday, October 19, 2009 at 11:00 am in the chapel of St. Pius, 18th Street West & Broadwater, Billings.

Graveside Service: Will be held at a later date at the Calvary Cemetery in Miles City.

Marie M. Lynam passed away on October 14, 2009 in her home in Billings, at the age of 78 after a courageous fight with cancer.

Marie was born January 19, 1931 in Great Falls to Mabel and Charles W. Marvin. She had 1 older brother, Charles E. Marvin, 2 younger sisters Karen and Helen, and a younger brother Kenny. She was raised in Lewistown, MT and graduated from Fergus High School in 1948. While in high school, she participated in music and was known for her singing talent. After graduation, she began her career as a Bookkeeper/Office Manager which took her to various auto dealerships in Billings, Oregon and eventually settling in Sacramento, California.

She married Ralph V. Miller in Sacramento resulting in the birth of her daughter, Marianne. After they divorced, she raised Marianne solely on her own. In 1971, an opportunity came to return to Montana with a job offer from Lohman Motors in Miles City. This proved to be a good move, as she met and married her soul mate, Robert C. Lynam. The family grew to include Bobs children: Mitzi and daughter Melanie Patch, and Marty, Rob, and Joe Lynam. Marie and Bob enjoyed 12 happy years before he passed away in 1987.

Marie returned to Lewistown after the death of her mother in 1990 to care for her father until his passing 4 years later. Also at this time, she assisted with the care of her invalid sister, Karen who was in a nursing home. She relocated to Billings in 1994 to be near her daughter. They enjoyed an especially close bond and were more like best friends than mother and daughter. Marie loved to read, and play the favorite family card game (May I). Other interests included collecting Depression glass and ceramics. At one time, she and her friend Kay Geis owned and operated K&M Ceramics in Miles City for several years. Other hobbies included genealogy, following the stock market, and watching golf whenever Tiger Woods was playing. She also loved animals and always had at least 1 or 2 dogs. Dogs in the Lynam household were more than just pets, but members of the family.

Survivors include her daughter Marianne Miller of Billings, special dog Hailey and grand dogs Jazzy and Crockett. Other family includes a sister-in-law Virginia Marvin, nieces Gayle Daigle, and Cathy (Greg) Pope all of Billings, Janice (Dan) Sutton of Orofino Idaho, nephews Rick (Sue) Marvin of Ridgecrest California, Mike Hines of Portland, Oregon, Donald Hines of Lewiston, Idaho, and brother-in-law Leo Hines of Orofino, Idaho. Cousins are Phil Thompson, of Great Falls, Jim Friese, Wayne Marvin, Dana Marvin, Gayle Marvin, and Jo Claire all residing in the Oregon and Washington areas, and Ginger (Bill) Ewing of Bakersfield, California. Also included are the following great nieces and nephews: Sarah Daigle, Colin Daigle, Tara Rosin, Sissy (Kane) Greenwade, Stacy (Mike) Ellis, Ronald Sutton (Cristy), Rick (Rachel) Sutton, Ben (Erin) Marvin, Jenna Marvin, Pete Marvin, Melanie Norton and Eric Norton. Though not related by blood; but family by choice and of the heart are Kay Geis, Ronda and Dave Worlie, Jim and Cecile Certain (all of Miles City), and Cleve and Bobbi Calagna of Alvin, Texas. Other special friends include the Wisconsin hunters: Gary Brosig, Glen Brosig, Ron Lax and Randy Revling.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Lynam, mother and father, siblings and niece Sue Hines.

Services will be held on Monday, October 19, 2009 at 11:00 am in the chapel of St. Pius, 18th Street West & Broadwater, Billings. Internment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Miles City at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Billings Food Bank, Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter or the charity of one's choice.

A special thank you to Dr. Fiddler, nurses and staff of Hematology Oncology Centers of the Northern Rockies, Dr. Debenham and staff of Northern Rockies Radiation Oncology Center, the special ladies at Antique Rose Care Management, and Riverstone Health and Hospice. Stevenson and Sons of Miles City is entrusted with arrangements and remembrances may be shared with the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.