Roberta Josephine Joie Hutton Matteucci Hodges, 71

Joie Hodges passed away in the morning hours of Sept. 19, 2010, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish. She had been stricken with COPD, also known as emphysema (not that many years back), and had battled the disease until her final breaths. Joie was born Aug. 31, 1939, in Great Falls, to Robert and Josephine Hutton. She attended elementary as well as high school in Great Falls and graduated from Great Falls High School in 1957, where she was an honor roll student for four years. Later, she attended the University of Montana in Missoula, where she became a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She later moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked for a time before returning to Great Falls. Joie became assistant manager of The Paris of Montana. She married Ed Matteucci of Great Falls, whom she later divorced. In 1967, she married Ted Hodges of Great Falls, and they lived in Missoula nearly 30 years, later moving to Columbia Falls. Joie and Ted divorced in June 2007. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Hutton; mother, Josephine; stepfather, Joe Tomes; and brother, James Hutton. Survivors include her children; sons, Paul A. Matteucci, 46, of Kalispell, and Michael J. Hodges, 41, of Columbia Falls; and Heidi Peters (adopted daughter, so to speak), 41, of Eagle, Idaho; cousins (extended family in and out of state) as well as many, many close friends. Joie was tied strongly to her faith, having belonged to the Catholic church at various parishes throughout her life, most recently St. Richard s in Columbia Falls. Joie had a fondness for people, friends and family, enjoying the simple pleasures of lending an ear in a time of need or just to talk, offering what she thought was best to help the situation as well as being a voice of reason when you needed to hear it. She loved being a mother and showed numerous times, through actions and words, how she cared and wanted people (not only those closest to her) to be their best in all aspects of life (dealings with others, etc.), but also balancing that with standing on solid ground for yourself. She would say, Stand for something or you ll fall for anything, and If you re not the lead dog the scenery never changes. She believed in education and had said, more than once, that if she would ve pursued a career (outside the home as a housewife and mother in the 70s and 80s) a teacher would have been it. She fought for what was right in teaching kids critical thinking skills as young people to prepare them for what was to come. She gave her opinion many times, loved good food, big band music ... good music in other aspects, too, dancing, traveling, writing, watching sports, the arts, making the best of a bad situation; she got sad and laughed, too. When she was helping/mentoring college-aged women at the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority house at the University of Montana in Missoula, it was said, You could always hear when Joie was around, as her laughter carried throughout the house. She exuded fun and laughter, and was for many of those girls living there at the time the example of what Theta sisterhood should look like once they left school. Joie was a romantic and paid attention to details that made moments special or defined things a little more clearly. It was those traits that endeared her to many who call her friend and mother. Many of those she touched recall and will remember her as a favorite. She thought of others sometimes before herself and didn t verbalize that philosophy often, but by her actions illustrated, It s better to give than receive. She was always appreciative of those who went out their way to help her and others, and reciprocated many, many times. She will be missed by those who perhaps didn t talk to her for months, but in a moment would call and pick up the conversation right where they left off. She had many great sayings, observations, passions and left a lasting imprint on those who now carry her zest for living into the future! She will be remembered for trying to make a difference. We all thank her for her thoughts, words and deeds! A rosary devotion for Joie will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, at St. Richard s Church in Columbia Falls, with a funeral at 1 p.m., Friday, Sept. 24, at St. Richard s Church. Any donations can made to: St. Richard s Parish, 1210 Ninth St. W., Columbia Falls MT 59912.