Theresa Marie Pouncy, 53

Theresa Marie Pouncy, 53, passed away of complications of brain cancer in Reno, Nev., on Sept. 16, 2004.

She was born Sept. 10, 1951, in Kalispell, to Charles and Elaine Miller.

In her younger years, Theresa loved to bowl and make ceramics. She was always very supportive of her children, June's and Philip's Native American heritage. Theresa cherished time spent with her children, grandchildren and family, as well as friends and her beloved animals. Before her health failed her, she loved to hike, camp and fish and was always taking pictures of places she described as "WOW!"

Theresa loved the big-city lights, and this small-town girl traveled from California to New Hampshire, residing in Reno the last few years where she learned to be a card dealer, often meeting celebrities who passed through.

Through life's struggles, she always maintained the strength to be courageous and move forward and she tried to do whatever she could to help others. Theresa's sense of humor and boisterous laugh always will be remembered.

Theresa was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Elaine Miller; her son, Philip Marceau; her grandparents; and a little niece, Stephanie Bradley.

She is survived by her longtime partner, Edward "Sonny" Bongarts of Reno; her daughters, June Marceau of Kalispell, and Michelle (Cusick) Motichka and her husband, Mike, of Columbia Falls; her sisters, Vinicia Johnson of Kalispell, and Sue Bradley and her husband, Butch, of Kalispell; eight grandchildren, many aunts, uncles and cousins, two nephews and a niece.

Interment at Fairview Cemetery will be at a later date at the family's discretion.

There will be a barbecue at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at Lawrence Park to celebrate her life.