Mollie Rhea Stamp Brewer
Mollie Brewer died quietly in her sleep Nov. 24, 2006, at her home in Forsyth.
She was born in 1931 to Mary Virginia Rhea, the daughter of Hildred and Lee Rhea of Tongue River, and lived for her first five years at the SH Ranch. After the death of her mother, and needing a place to live in order to enter school, she was moved to Miles City, where she lived with Harry and Edna Stamp. She was placed in school with the name Mollie Rhea Stamp. She was adopted by the Stamps but maintained a relationship with her father, Lee Rhea, and his second wife, Doris Bembrick Rhea.
Mollie was a graduate of Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., and completed her graduate work at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
She married Roy Richardson, and from that union were born three children, Beth Allison Barnett of Kalispell, Jessica Eubanks of New York City, and Adam Richardson of Roseville, Minn.; and grandchildren, Ian Martin Allison of Minneapolis and Paige Rhea Allison of Kalispell.
Before becoming a ranch wife, Mollie was employed by the St. Paul school system, first as a teacher of English and speech, then as a teacher of the deaf, then as school audiologist, and finally as consultant in special education. She was an early advocate for the inclusion of signs and finger spelling into the oral program.
In 1970, Mollie married Walter Brewer Jr., and moved to the family ranch at Powderville. His children were Ben, Tom, Linda, Walter Thomas, Margaret Mary, Miriam Elizabeth and Harrison Lee.
In 1979, the Brewers acquired property in North Mississippi and divided their time between the two homes. During these years, Bud and Mollie raised registered English pointers that were run in the field trials at Grand Junction, Tenn., restored a pre-Civil War farmhouse, and Mollie developed an antique business, "Fine Idea," and was active in the civic and artistic life of College Hill and Oxford.
Together she and Bud developed the farm, restored tillable acres, and planted and tended a large orchard. They designed outbuildings including a shop, kennel and a large all-purpose building that housed two offices, storage space and a pleasant apartment for visiting children and friends.
During these years Mollie was the primary caregiver during surgery and illness for Harry and Edna Stamp, and Lee and Doris Rhea. She also cared for Bud Brewer during his long and courageous battle with cancer. Bud died at home in Mississippi in September 1999. His ashes were interred at the ranch at Powderville in July 2000.
In fall 2000, Mollie moved to Kalispell to be near her daughter Beth. During her stay in Kalispell she was active in the community and church, and enjoyed entertaining in her restored apartment in the historic Opera House.
Mollie moved to Forsyth in fall 2005. Having had successful back surgery, she resumed an active life, enjoyed new friends, and renewed ties with friends in Miles City and Powderville.
Mollie enjoyed outdoor activities. She enjoyed theater, music and art, as well as cooking, reading and travel, and was always involved in her church and community wherever she lived. She loved life.
Per Mollie's request, cremation has taken place, and services are planned for a later date.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home, Forsyth, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.