Gaylia May Smith Stipe, 84

Gaylia May Smith Stipe, known as May, went to be with Jesus Nov. 6, 2010, following the ravages of Alzheimer s. Even Alzheimer s could not remove her faith. Gaylia May Siggaard was born July 16, 1926, to Kris and Marie Siggaard in Froid. She joined her brothers, Pete and Howard, and sister, Evelyn, on the family farm. May met and married the love of her life, Richard Smith, known as Dick. They moved to the Ronan area, where they farmed and raised their three children, Marj, Richard and Linda. Dick left his family way too early, passing away in 1966. She later married Dean Stipe and again was widowed. Then she moved from the farm in Moiese to a home in Ronan, where the Corum family watched over her as her memory faded. She eventually needed more care and moved to The Springs in Whitefish, which was closer to her family. May moved into Marj s home at the end of August where Marj s children, Brad and his wife, Trish, and Marie and her husband, Myron, got the house ready for their disabled grandmother and provided her care. She was also cared for by dear friends, Koleen, Nancy and Beverly. During the last week, May became bedridden. It was then time for the great-grandchildren to step into action. Heather helped Marie and Trish with the nursing care of their grandmother. Tiff washed the dog, Dudley, so he could be on the bed with Grandma May. Savana was her ray of sunshine. Great-granddaughter Amber and grandson Phil were on the road to get home, while the rest of the family was here to hold May s hand and to talk or sing to her. She is survived by her daughter, Marj James and her children, Brad James and wife Trish, and their children, Heather, Tiff, Samantha, Quentin and Amber, and Marie James and her husband Myron, and their children, La Koda, Jasmin and Savana; May s son, Richard R. Smith Jr., and his wife Rebecca, and their children, Nathan and his wife Claudia, with their children, Natalie and Steven, Tyler and his wife Katrina, and Richard and Rebecca s youngest son Luke; and May s daughter, Linda and her husband Bill, and their children, Shawn Stipe and his children Kristian and Ryan, and Phil Crawford and his wife Theda, and their children, Joseph and Jesse. May left the arms of her family to be in the arms of her God. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, at the Ronan Alliance Church. Burial will follow at the Ronan Cemetery.