Shirley Irene Mackie May 2, 1932 ~ June 12, 2018

SEELEY LAKE - Shirley Irene Mackie, 86, of Seeley Lake, MT, passed away on Tuesday, June 12 of natural causes. She passed at her home with her children and grandchildren at her bedside. She was surrounded by love.

She was born May 2, 1932 in Missoula, Mont. to Theo B. and Clare Stevens. As a young girl she lived on a small farm and helped her father care for their animals. She had a genuine love for all animals, especially her horse "Buddy."

She attended schools in Frenchtown, Mont. and Renton, Wash. where her parents worked for Boeing during WWII.

On Aug. 16, 1947 she married Maurice Mackie of Evaro, Mont. Maurice was a logger, so they lived in several logging towns including Darby and Happy's Inn. Eventually, they settled in Seeley Lake in 1957 to raise their family.

Shirley was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved being a homemaker and spoiled her family with her passion for cooking, baking and canning. Her kitchen was always filled with the aroma of something wonderful cooking on the stove. From morning to evening fresh coffee was brewed for the family and friends that liked to stop by for a visit.

She and her husband and children enjoyed travelling throughout the U.S. and Canada either by motorcycle or with their motorhome. She loved camping, snowmobiling and boating on the lake while Maurice fished.

Shirley and Maurice became "snowbirds" travelling to Yuma, Ariz. for the winter. They could always be found either around the campfire with their numerous friends in the evening or at the weekend dances. They loved dancing together, especially to the "Tennessee Waltz."

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Maurice in 2011, two-month-old baby daughter Sharon in 1951, son Jack in 2013, grandson Adam in 2015 and grandson-in-law Scott in 2010.

She is survived by her daughter Susan (Ted) Hayes, Centennial, Colo.; daughter Cheryl (Bill) Gehrke, Seeley Lake; son William Mackie, Seeley Lake; daughter-in-law Yvonne Mackie, Seeley Lake; granddaughters Sharon (Shawn) Wendell and Kara Morris; grandsons Chris and Scott Gehrke; great-grandson Lane Wendell and great-granddaughters Trista Wendell and Isla Lee Herring-Hayes.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m., June 23, at the Seeley Lake Community Hall.