Diane McCue Hollinger 1929 ~ 2016

MISSOULA – Diane McCue Hollinger, age 87, died on Sunday, Sept. 25 at The Springs in Missoula, due to a fall she took several days earlier. Diane loved doggies (especially little ones), Andy Williams (especially "Moon River"), and Fat Tire beer. She was a vivacious lady who loved to dance and to laugh, especially at herself.

She was born Norma Diane Rockwell Sept. 8, 1929, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Norman and Elizabeth Root Rockwell. Norman (he was not the famous artist) was a stuntman in Hollywood during the early days of the film industry and a veteran of World War I.

When Diane was six years old her father passed away. Diane's mother raised Diane and her two sisters in Gardena, Calif. As a girl, she became an accomplished equestrian, riding her horse, Ranger, on Hermosa Beach and in the oil fields around Gardena. She graduated from high school at Anokia School in Arcadia, Calif. in 1947.

She began her college studies at New Mexico State University, then transferred to the University of Montana (UM) in 1949. There she studied journalism and pledged Delta Gamma sorority, in which she remained an active alumna for decades. She also met a handsome forestry student and Grizzly football player from Aberdeen, S.D., named Robert H. McCue on a double date at the Foresters Ball. They were married Sept. 22, 1951, at San Gabriel Mission church in San Gabriel, Calif.

Upon their marriage, Diane and Bob settled in Missoula, where they raised their seven children and built their construction and real estate company. Diane was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker, always supporting and encouraging Bob and the children in their multifarious pursuits.

Beginning with their first born, Steve, and residing in the UM "Strip Houses," the family then moved to Kern Street, where Susie, Bobby and Greg made their entrances. While Diane nurtured their growing brood at home, Bob established McCue Construction Company next door, where its office and "the shop" remain today.

In 1959 Bob and Diane built their home on Cloverdale Drive, where Diane resided for the rest of her life. Pete, Cathy, and Mike arrived there, making the family complete. Each of Diane and Bob's children was their favorite.

Diane and Bob handed on their Catholic faith to their children and educated them at Saint Anthony School. They were active members of Saint Anthony parish and later Saint Francis Xavier parish. Diane volunteered at the school, helping students with reading skills for many years.

In 1956, Diane and Bob purchased property on Lindbergh Lake. In this wild and majestic setting, Bob used his construction talents to build a rustic retreat for Diane and the children, which Bob named "Hungry Hollow." Diane made the best huckleberry pancakes, pies, and cobblers on the lake, sunned herself in her "Floater Loafer," and had many adventures with her family in the Seeley-Swan Valley, from bear break-ins to hikes in the wilderness.

In the late 1960s, Diane and some other Missoula homemakers formed a group who dubbed themselves the Hippie Mothers. They enjoyed many years of camaraderie, physical exercise and travels around Big Sky Country. She also loved sharing time with her many friends in bridge club, investment club, PEO and Friendship Force. Diane was a member of the St. Patrick Hospital Guild for almost 50 years, volunteering there on a weekly basis.

Diane and Bob shared many travels and adventures over their 39-year marriage. When Bob died of cancer in 1991, Diane and her family were shaken by his sudden loss. Diane nonetheless forged ahead.

She traveled widely and spent many happy times with her children and growing tribe of grandchildren. She entered the Senior Olympics in racquetball and won the national singles championship in New Orleans in 1995.

In 1994 she married Joseph Hollinger, and he embraced Diane's large and growing family as his own until his death in 2005.

Diane's parents, Norman and Elizabeth Rockwell, her older sister, Phoebe Booth Lewis, brother-in-law Robert Lewis, her younger sister, Susan Rockwell Parker, her husbands Robert H. McCue and Joseph Hollinger, and her daughter-in-law, Mary Kelly McCue (Stephen) all predeceased her.

Survivors include her brother-in-law, John Parker, of Indio, Calif .; her children, Stephen R. McCue of Helena, Susan E. Kavon (Fred) of Plentywood, Cathleen A. McGoldrick (David), of Belgrade, and Robert P. McCue (Sydney), Gregory S. McCue (Robi), Peter T. McCue, and Michael R. McCue (Michelle), all of Missoula; as well as several nephews and nieces.

Diane is also survived by 20 grandchildren: Kevin, Caroline, and Patrick McCue (Audrey) (Steve and Mary's children); Elizabeth Hansen (Donald), Stephanie, Alexander, Zachary, and Jennifer Kavon (Susie and Fred); Scott (Amee) and Samuel McCue (Bob and Sydney); Ryan Vickhammer (Henriette) and David and Blaine McCue (Greg and Robi), Andrew Testerman and Aiden and Aimelyn McGoldrick (Cathy and Dave); and Emily, Meagan, Finn, and Bridget McCue (Mike and Michelle). She is survived by three great-grandchildren: Stella Vickhammer (Ryan and Henriette), and Aspen and Harper Hansen (Elizabeth and Donald).

Diane's family thanks The Springs and Home Instead for caring for her during the last year and a half and especially thanks Julieann and John Moss for their tender care for our loving mother. Thanks also to George Caras, Jack Demarois and Heather Deschamps for their wonderful companionship to Diane.

The family asks that memorials be made to Providence Saint Patrick Hospital Foundation, 500 West Broadway, Missoula, MT 59802, to Loyola Sacred Heart Foundation, 300 Edith Street, Missoula, MT 59801, or to a charity of the donor's choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at 2324 Cloverdale Drive, Missoula, MT 59803. Arrangements are in care of Garden City Funeral Home.

A Vigil will be held Thursday, Oct. 20 at 4 p.m. at Saint Francis Xavier Church in Missoula. A Mass of Christian Burial, also at Saint Francis Xavier Church, will be celebrated Friday, Oct. 21 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Joseph Carver, S.J., presiding. A reception with memory sharing will follow immediately after the Mass at the Parish Life Center of Saint Anthony Church in Missoula. Inurnment will take place thereafter at old St. Mary Cemetery.