Shirley Marie Opie, 75
Shirley Marie Opie, 75, of Missoula, passed away on Sunday, Aug 27, 2006, at St. Patrick Hospital surrounded by her family after a short unexpected illness.
Shirley was born in Anaconda, on June 18, 1931, to John and Irene Dillon. She grew up in Butte where she attended St. Patrick Grade School and Girls Central High School. Shirley graduated from Seattle University in 1953 with a degree in chemistry.
On Feb. 19, 1955, Shirley married Robert B. Opie. They began their marriage in Butte and started a family. Later they moved the family to Kalispell, and eventually moved to Missoula.
After spending many years raising her children, Shirley began to work outside the home first working for Mountain Tractor and eventually working as an engineering secretary and personnel secretary for the mill in Frenchtown. Shirley retired from Stone Container in 1993.
Shirley was known for her sense of humor and quick wit. She spent her retired years enjoying cooking for family dinners on Sundays and holidays, visiting with friends and family and she especially enjoyed spending time with her 12 grandchildren. Shirley also loved to travel and she did most of her traveling onboard cruise ships. She traveled to Europe, Hawaii, Alaska and several other destinations.
Shirley also volunteered though Missoula Aging Services for many years.
Shirley had two sons who preceded her in death - Michael who died at birth, and James Patrick who died in 1987, at the age of 20.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Robert; son, Bob and wife Rita, and children, Michael, Meg, Jimmy and Erin, all of Billings; daughter, Linda Opie, of Missoula; son, John, wife, Sharon, and their son, Brian, all of San Diego; daughter, Laurie Fuehrer, husband, Kris, and children, Alex and Brandon, all of Whitefish; son, Paul, wife, Kathy, and children, Jennifer, Patrick and Conner, all of Seattle; and daughter, Kathleen Nottingham, husband, John, and children, Jarin and Kaitlyn Horner, all of Missoula. Shirley is also survived by her brother, Paul Dillon, wife, Judy, and children, Jennifer and John.
Services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Garden City Funeral Home with Father Reller officiating. A luncheon will follow the service.
The family suggests memorials to the St. Joseph House of Missoula, 2405 McIntosh Loop, Missoula, MT 59801.