Margaret Black (nee James), 105
Glacier Park icon, Margaret Black (nee James), died at her daughter's home in Kalispell, on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, at the age of 105, surrounded by loved ones.
She was born to Walter and Margaret (Terry) James in 1902 in St. Paul, Minn., the eldest of six children. Margaret graduated from Visitation Convent in St. Paul, and in 1929 was hired by Glacier Park Company as executive secretary. It was in Glacier Park she met Hugh Black, a park ranger. They were married in 1932, in Browning.
That year, they began the adventure of building St. Mary Resort on the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Highway and, over the years, expanded it into a well-known destination resort, while hiring thousands of employees from all over the nation and the world to have exciting and memorable summers at St. Mary.
As St. Mary grew, Margaret became the heart of the resort, captivating the love and respect of her employees, many of whom will remember her as a wonderful, gentle and generous friend. She and Hugh maintained a friendly and neighborly relationship with the Blackfeet Tribe. Margaret became Glacier's leading business woman and continued being a hands-on president of the corporation until she was 98 years old; in her 90s, she became computer literate. She traveled each year to St. Petersburg, Fla., and St. Paul, Minn.
Margaret kept an active and open mind. She loved music, poetry and art. She enjoyed hiking and horseback riding, relishing everything Glacier had to offer. She encountered, with delight, nature in all its forms; the mountains around the St. Mary valley will echo with her laughter for years to come.
She was a gracious and frequent hostess. She was a benefactor to many causes. Her church was an important part of her life and she was awarded the position of Dame of Malta. She will be dearly remembered by those who knew her over her lifetime.
It can truly be said that this was a woman who raised a village.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband; and her son, James "Lucky" Black.
She is survived by one sister, Jean Arthur; and five children, Hugh M. Black and Mary Grace of Helena, Patricia A. Huberty and Robert of St. Paul, Roscoe W. Black and Susan of Sun Valley, Idaho, Terry Cosgrove of Missoula, and Sally Black Welder and Terry of Kalispell. She had 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel. Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 18, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church. Burial will be at noon on Saturday, Jan. 19, in St. Mary.
Memorials may be sent to the Glacier Park Fund, P.O. Box 5600, Whitefish, MT 59937, or the Church of St. Mary in Babb, MT 59417.
You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Margaret's guest book.