Mary Jane Conley, 80
Mary Jane Conley, known to some as Janie, passed away Friday, Oct. 17, 2008, in Bigfork. She was 80 years old.
Janie was born in Battle Creek, Mich., on Oct. 8, 1928, to Mortimer O. and Marguerite D. (Whitney) Pickle.
Janie was a beloved wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother. In her younger years she loved to sing and was a member of Maple Methodist Church in Battle Creek.
In 1962, Janie, her husband, Ancil "Hank" Conley, and their two children moved to San Jose, Calif., where they lived for many years. While in San Jose, Janie was an avid golfer. She even scored a hole-in-one at her favorite golf course, Fairway Glenn.
Janie and Hank traveled extensively throughout the U.S. with their motor home and for many years belonged to the San Jose Blackjacks, a local square-dance and Good Sam Club.
Janie was an excellent crafter - her dolls and afghans are works of art that will be her continuing legacy. In later years, Hank and Janie moved to Kalispell, where she continued to make crafted items that were often donated to local nursing homes.
Janie was preceded in death by her sisters, Marjorie (Pickle) Stone and Marguerite (Pickle) Cary.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Ancil A. "Hank" Conley; sister, Wanda Pickle; daughter, Sandra (Conley) Taylor and her husband, Kenneth Taylor; her son, Edward Conley, and his wife, Sharon (Wolff) Conley; granddaughters, Christina (Conley) Hiestand, Sharlene Conley, Sheena Conley, and Shawna Conley; and great-granddaughter, Tamara Perron.
A celebration of Janie's life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral chapel in Kalispell. Pastor Kathy Young will officiate. Interment will be the next day at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lakeview Resident Memorial Fund, 1050 Grand Ave., Bigfork, MT 59911.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Mary's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Mary's guest book.