Margaret R. (Curry) Alexander, 90

Margaret R. (Curry) Alexander, 90, died of natural causes Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008, at The Springs Memory Care in Missoula. She had previously resided at the Rainbow Independent Retirement Community in Great Falls until her move to Missoula in February 2008.

Funeral liturgy will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at St. Ann's Cathedral. Interment will take place in Hillside Lawn Mausoleum, followed by a reception at Schnider Funeral Home in Great Falls. Cremation was handled by the Cremation and Burial Society of the Rockies, Missoula.

She was born Jan. 17, 1918, the youngest daughter of an early Great Falls pioneer family. Her father, Roger Curry, was a Great Falls city fireman who came to Montana through Ellis Island in 1892, from Irishtown, County Mayo, Ireland. Her mother Sarah "Minnie" McKenna arrived in 1902, from Clogher, County Tyrone, Ireland.

She attended St. Mary's and Longfellow elementary schools, Paris Gibson, and graduated from Great Falls High in 1936. She attended high school reunions up until last year. Following graduation, she worked for 15 years for Woolworth's as a cashier and bookkeeper, retiring to become a mother and homemaker.

She married Erskine "Alex" Alexander on July 4, 1952, at St. Ann's Cathedral. Alex and Margaret celebrated 51 years of marriage before his death in September 2002.

They made their home at 3205 Eighth Ave. S. Together they enjoyed their children's and grandchildren's sports activities, dancing, golf and traveling.

In 1976, they traveled to England, Scotland and Ireland on a special trip with Alex's brothers and their wives. In later years, Margaret's love of music brought her much enjoyment and comfort.

Margaret was a sweet and gentle person, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Survivors include her daughters, Barbara Plattes of Missoula and husband, Mike, and Sue Belote and husband, Lee, of Cascade; a son, Gary Alexander, and wife, Gretchen, of Kalispell; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren as follows: Julie Papp and husband, Kevin, and great-grandchild Hailey, of Katy, Texas; Justin Belote and wife, Alexie, and great-grandchildren, Tanner, Madison and Jordan, of Great Falls; Jennifer Fink and husband, Tom, of Missoula; Mikaela Keck and husband, Aaron, of Seattle; Matt Plattes of Missoula, and Gavin Alexander of Kalispell; brothers-in-law, Edward C. Alexander, and wife, Helen, of Great Falls, and Bill Kelly of Sidney, formerly of Great Falls; nephew, Jim Gillespie, and wife, Amy; and many other nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Erskine "Alex" Alexander; her brother, John Curry; and sisters, Catherine Fox, Una Koontz, Marie Gillespie and Alice Kelly.

Hospice of Missoula and the staff at The Springs Memory Care provided a loving home and care for Margaret. She enjoyed her time in Missoula and loved the mountain views.

Memorials are suggested to St. Ann's Cathedral, 715 Third Ave. N., Great Falls, MT 59401.

Condolences for the family may be left at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.