Shawnan Rae "Shawn" Moriarty, 44

Shawnan Rae "Shawn" Moriarty died May 28, 2009, at her residence in Davis, Calif., where she had lived for the past year and a half. Previously she had resided in Bigfork.

Shawn was born in Woodland, Calif., to parents Luann and Robert Moriarty. They lived in Davis where Shawn enjoyed music, taking ballet and attending plays.

During the summer she spent her time at the family summer home at Bitterroot Lake. That began her love affair with Montana. She loved swimming - even in the cold lake! She also enjoyed water-skiing - especially when she was able to advance to one ski. Her other love at the lake was fishing - especially when she caught the first fish, or the biggest fish. (She usually did catch the big one - as recently as Mother's Day.) Her love of dancing, reading, whether it be Milton or Stephen King, music, and fishing stayed with her throughout her life.

She graduated from Davis Senior High School in 1982. She loved to bake and was thrilled to have a job at a local bakery in Davis. Five years later she moved to Montana where she married Barry Lee Hands in Whitefish. She and Barry decided to move to Bigfork where they purchased and operated the Breadboard Bakery. They had two daughters, Alyssa Rae and Chelsea Jacqueline. The daughters spent a lot of time in the bakery "helping their mother."

After Shawn and Barry divorced, she moved to Austin, Texas, in 1993 with her daughters. Once again she was involved in food service. She married Larri Coyle and eventually moved back to Bigfork in 1996 with her newborn son Robert. After her divorce with Larri Coyle, Shawn worked at a Bigfork restaurant for many years.

Shawn loved doing things for people, whether it be baking, serving up a wonderful dinner, or arranging a party for her friends, which had to always include music! Some of her favorites were The Dave Matthews Band, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Toni Price.

Shawn is survived by her daughters, Alyssa Hands of Kalispell, and Chelsea Hands of Austin; and her son, Robert Coyle, of Bigfork. She is also survived by her mother, Luann Moriarty, of Bigfork, her father, Robert Moriarty, and stepmother, Marlene Moriarty, of Bigfork. She is also survived by Pat Foley, her good friend and companion of many years. Shawn will be loved and missed by her friends and family.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, at the Woods Bay fishing access at Yenne Point, (The Rec). Pastor Kathy Young of The Community United Methodist Church in Bigfork will preside over the service.