Ursula Durocher Whitney, 91,

Ursula Durocher Whitney, 91, died June 2, 2007, at Lake View Care Center in Bigfork.

Ursula was born in St. John, N.D., on April 22, 1916, to Alphonse and Victoria Durocher. The family moved to Malta in 1918 where Ursula spent her childhood. When Ursula was a teen she moved with her family to Bigfork.

She attended St. Matthew's School in Kalispell until Bigfork established their own high school in her senior year. In 1934 she graduated as president and valedictorian of the first graduating class of Bigfork High School.

After high school Ursula continued a job she began during high school, as school secretary for the elementary and high schools.

Ursula married Jack Joy Whitney on her 23rd birthday, April 22, 1939. They were married for 67 years, most of them spent in their home along Swan River. The couple left Bigfork for a short period of time during World War II when Jack was serving in the Navy in the Aleutian Islands. Ursula worked as a bookkeeper in Port Orchard, Wash., a skill she used for Jack's woodworking business when they returned to Bigfork.

The couple possessed a great love for the outdoors and were instrumental in founding the local Audubon Society, active members of the Flathead Wildlife Association, and helped establish the Swan River Trail, the Jewel Basin Hiking Area, and the Sprunger-Whitney Nature Trail. Ursula had a special connection with nature and wildlife, demonstrated by the squirrels that scampered up to Ursula to be hand-fed.

She loved to square dance and her avid reading kept her bright mind active even after her physical health deteriorated in recent years. She was also active in St. Catherine's Club and St. Catherine's Catholic Church.

Her husband Jack expressed his pride and affection for Ursula with his frequent reference to Ursula's senior class picture caption, 'To know her is to love her.'

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; and an infant daughter, Vicky.

She is survived by her brother-in-law, Wayne Whitney, and wife, Helen, of Swan Lake and numerous nephews and nieces.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family. According to Ursula's wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. June 16, at Pope John Paul II Church in Bigfork.

The family suggests that memorials be made to the Audubon Society.