Mary Lee Catherine Taylor, 61
Mary Lee Catherine Taylor, 61, beloved mother, grandmother and friend, 'left this earth' on Dec. 30, 2006.
'We are writing this in loving memory of our mom.' Her daughters, Lori, Koni, and KayLene would not be such strong and independent females had it not been for the strength and love provided by this remarkable woman. She also provided the nurturing for her granddaughter, Kristina "Krissy" Kangas who shares her love for dance, drama and music. Her four grandsons, Tyler, Trevor, Treyce and Tristen, take with them her humor, the laughter, and her passion for life.
Mary was born on Sept., 24, 1945, to Tex and Olive Ezell in Conrad. Mary attended school in Great Falls where she also began to develop her skills at a young age, working in the food and beverage industry. She had a natural talent to serve others with a warm and friendly smile.
She married Arvi Leroy Kangas in July 1962. Her daughter, Lori, was born in 1963, and Koni was born in 1965. She divorced Arvi in 1965, and soon after she and her daughters moved to Oregon.
She survived cancer at the age of 23 and continued to battle and survive the disease throughout her life. With the love and support from her brother, William "Billy" Ezell, she was able to raise her two daughters, Lori and Koni. She shared with them her passion for adventure and living life to the fullest. She was a unique individual and she marched to her own drum. On her adventures she lived in Montana, Oregon, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Minnesota and Wisconsin, where she loved the country life, rode horses, and shot rattlesnakes; and the city life in San Francisco, where she rode cable cars and walked on the beach.
She always had a connection with the birds, dogs, and cats that she cared for throughout her life. She loved the holidays; especially Halloween, when she could dress up and act like a kid, and Christmas which she celebrated long past the New Year. She loved baking cinnamon rolls for everyone.
She made friends so easily and was able to communicate with people from all walks of life — from top executives to those less fortunate. She made people feel comfortable and at ease. She continued her many friendships to the end.
She waited on Charlie Pride and Evel Knieval Sr., in Montana. She bartended for Eric Clapton in Portland, and Willy Nelson at the Cow Palace in South San Francisco. She was a showroom hostess and blackjack dealer at the Sahara in Reno and Las Vegas. She met Debby Reynolds and Steve and Edie Gourmet back stage.
In 1992 she adopted her daughter, KayLene, and raised her as a single parent. She and KayLene moved to Kalispell so that she could care for her ailing father, Tex, and stepmother, Millie. After their passing, she and KayLene stayed on in Kalispell until she passed.
Mary was preceded in death by her father, M. William 'Tex' Ezell; and her brother, William 'Billy' Ezell.
She is survived by three daughters, Lori Kangas Brown and husband Bert of Rainier, Ore., Koni Kangas of Sacramento, Calif., and KayLene Taylor of Kalispell; five grandchildren, Kristina Kangas of Sacramento, and Tyler, Trevor, Treyce and Tristen of Rainier; mother, Olive Clair Ezell, of Great Falls; and two sisters, Sylvia and husband Charles Harant of Black Eagle, and Tammy Ezell of Great Falls; and three nieces of Black Eagle. She also leaves behind her dog Mister, cat Pyewackett, birds and fish.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan 4, at Johnson's Mortuary in Kalispell.