Candy 'Cynthia A.' Fopp, 56

Candy Fopp died peacefully Thursday, April 23, 2009, surrounded by loving friends, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. The daughter of Al and Myrna Fopp, Candy was born in Missoula on March 27, 1953, and graduated from Flathead High School in 1970. Other than a short time living in Great Falls and Arizona, she spent the majority of her life in Kalispell, where she embraced all that life here in the Flathead Valley has to offer.

Candy and her sister Nikki shared a passion for Arabian horses. She played on an outstanding Flathead Valley Community College basketball team that won the Northwest Regional Class C Championship in 1972, and was an avid softball player whose team went to the Women's Class A National tournament. According to her friends, Candy was the only hitter that could turn a triple into a single, thanks to her blazing speed. She also excelled in bowling, attaining the prestigious stature of the 175 Club, and was a major Green Bay Packers fan, enjoying an obsession with fantasy football. Candy truly enjoyed the great outdoors, and many memorable times fishing with her father, Al, her uncle and other close friends.

Candy knew her way around a kitchen. She grew up at her parents' establishment, the well-known Hacienda restaurant, learning the hospitality trade and making it her lifelong career and she shared it with her friends. Prime rib, flank steak, or tenderloin tips - if you needed a recipe, she was your savior. She served her famous recipes at many gatherings of friends and family, and has been known throughout the valley for her soups and other delicious recipes.

Candy was preceded in death by her brother, Kelly; her father, Al; and her mother, Myrna. She was also predeceased by her beloved dog, Casey.

She is survived by her sister, Nikki Fopp, of Glendale, Ariz.; aunts and uncles, Barbara Fopp of Corte Madera, Calif., Gene and Joan Fopp of Great Falls, Angie Fopp of Kalispell, Aliene Kelly of Seattle, and Tom Hower of Renton, Wash.; niece, Jennifer, and great-niece, Satori Robichaux; as well as numerous cousins and her many special friends. She also leaves behind her pets, Joey and Chemo.

Candy's exceptional and never-ending humor will be missed by all whose lives were touched by hers. Please join us in a celebration of her remarkable life from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at Tiebucker's in Somers.