Lois Loretta Davidson Howell, 89
Lois Loretta Davidson Howell, 89, of Whitefish, died Aug. 17, 2009, after a long illness with dementia and Parkinson's disease.
Lois was born July 7, 1920, to Mildred and Harry Davidson in Minneapolis. Living in her era, she grew up and survived the Depression which necessitated frequent family moves, eventually to New York City, where she was educated at Hunter College. She was a young married mother during the Second World War which also shaped much of the rest of her life.
She, and the love of her life, Morton Smith Howell, had two sons, Andrew and Judd, who have given her extraordinary pride as they are wonderful men, and they have given her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
After Mort's death, she returned to college at New York University to finish her bachelor's and master's degrees to teach high school English and psychology.
She moved her children to Montana, where she taught in Kalispell, Hardin, and Lewistown, and where she remained for 47 years. Lois' intellect, passion, and facility for language and teaching touched many lives and she shepherded high school students to become literate writers, speakers and readers.
She approached her hobby of weaving with the same zeal and became a master weaver while always sharing and teaching others.
On her 80th birthday, Lois was selected as a Montana Living Treasure by the Montana Weavers Guild. She was an active member of the Alpine Weavers and Spinners Guild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a brother, and two sisters.
She is survived by her sons, Andrew and Sharon, and Judd and Nancy; Debra Howell and granddaughters, Betsy and Fred, Kate and Jessica; grandsons, Craig and Laurie, and Derek and Tammy; and great-grandchildren, Ashley, Jarrod, Natalie, Chloe and Patrick. She and her dear friend, Bobbie, shared companionship, travel, music, flowers and the lake place.
A family and friend gathering and remembrance celebration will be held on July 7, 2010, her 90th birthday.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family. You are invited to go to www.buffalohillfh.com to sign Lois' book or leave a message for her family.