Margaret Sterling Moore, 60

"While each of us is special, every now and then someone beyond special is born into this world." That happened in Evanston, Ill., on March 30, 1946, when Margaret "Margie" Chandler Sterling was born to an Episcopal bishop, Chandler Winfield Sterling, and his wife, Catherine. The family moved to Helena when Margie was in the fifth grade, where she met Jim Moore, the son of Helena's first pediatrician, in what was to become a 49-year relationship.

Margie graduated from Helena High School in 1964 and then the University of Montana in Missoula, where she became the first member of her family to obtain a college degree. As a Missoula school teacher, she married her high-school sweetheart Nov. 2, 1970, and the couple moved to Whitefish, in 1972, where their first child, Sarah, was born.

The couple then moved to Kalispell where their second daughter, Meghan, was born in 1974, and their third daughter, Katie, was born in 1975. Margie was, above all, a loving and nurturing mother.

In 1987, Margie returned to the University of Montana and earned a master's degree in counseling and psychology. Thereafter, she accepted a position with School District Five as a school psychologist and counselor for Hedges school. There she touched the lives of all around her - listening to, inspiring and empowering children to believe in themselves.

Margie made people better. She cared for her friends and made people laugh. She created strength in those around her. She loved life and lived fearlessly, whether she was Roller Blading down the steep slopes of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, cliff-jumping into the Flathead River or white-water rafting with friends. Most of all, she loved the ocean and the sunshine, and it was there she eventually found comfort during her battle against ovarian cancer, with which she was diagnosed in December 1996.

In 2002, Margie relocated to Florida, where she lived with her middle daughter, Meghan, and son-in-law, Rick, and continued treatment. She continued life too - swimming in the ocean, walking the sandy beaches, collecting seashells, and making memories with her friends and family.

Margie passed away Nov. 12, 2006.

She is survived by her soul mate, Jim Moore; her daughters, Sarah, Meghan and Kate Moore; her son-in-law, Rick Ferry; her mother, Catherine Sterling; her siblings, Mary, Kathy, Ann, Beth, Sarah, Julie and Jon; and a host of special friends.

At her request, her remains will become part of an eternal reef where ocean life can grow and flourish. That is just the kind of person she was - living and giving fully in any way she could.

On Saturday, Nov. 18, Margie's family will host an open house from 4 to 8 p.m. at 411 Sylvan Drive, in Kalispell, and friends and family are invited to stop by to share memories, pay respects and celebrate her life.

This paid obituary is being run again at the request of the family.