Barbara Mary McFarren Hale, 79

On Oct. 29, 2012, Barbara Mary McFarren Hale passed from this life independent and at home, as was her desire, following a brief illness. She was dearly loved by her family and close friends and will be missed greatly by them.

She had an eye for beauty as evident in her many photos of our national parks, and was extremely talented with her hobbies. She loved her children and grandchildren very much and sacrificed many times for their benefit. She took great pride in her family. And like the Apostle Paul, she “fought a good fight, she finished the race, and she kept the faith.”

Barbara Mary McFarren Hale was born in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., on Sept. 2, 1933. She was the daughter of Edward and Ila McFarren. She moved to Choteau where she attended high school and was associated with her parents in the operation of the Parkway Cafe.

Following graduation in 1952, she joined the Navy (WAVES) and honorably served as a hospital corpsman at Camp Lejeune and Cherry Point, N.C., and Norfolk, Va.

She married Daryl Neil in 1952 while they were both in the Navy. Following his discharge, they moved to Modesto, Calif., where she worked at the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department. When her marriage to Daryl ended, she moved back to Montana where she had the distinction of being the first woman hired by the Cascade County Sheriff’s Department in Great Falls in 1960.

In 1963, she married David "Buzz" Boucher and moved to Kalispell where she was actively involved in competitive archery. Returning to Great Falls in 1965, she worked for the Montana State Grain Inspection Laboratory, Montana Deaconess Hospital and the Montana Neurological Clinic where she worked until she retired in 1979. Divorced from David Boucher in 1974, she later married Duaine Hale in 1978 and during that time she moved to Pendleton, Ore. When the marriage ended in 1983, she returned to Kalispell where she would remain for the rest of her life.

In Kalispell as a member of Christ Church Episcopal, she was a licensed lay reader and Eucharistic minister. She served a term as president of the Flathead Chapter of Parents without Partners and also as the president of the Flathead Chapter of NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill). She was also associated with the Episcopal Mental Illness Network and MONAMI. She was an advocate for helping children with mental illnesses and disabilities.

Barbara was a very proud charter member of the National Women's Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. She was also a lifetime member of Aerie 234, Eagles Auxiliary and adjutant/treasurer and lifetime member of Kalispell Chapter 4, Disabled American Veterans. She was a faithful member of American Legion Post 137 and a devoted advocate for veterans and veteran organizations.

Curious by nature, she had a wide variety of interests and hobbies, including extensive reading on a wide variety of subjects. She enjoyed music, playing the piano, organ and clarinet. She also enjoyed dancing, hunting, fishing and bowling until health problems curtailed those activities. She enjoyed photography, especially in Glacier Park, and playing games and cards with friends and family. Later in life, her passion became counted cross-stitch, embroidery and sight-seeing when possible.

She was preceded in death by both parents; her sister, Shirley Caum; and brother, Willis McFarren.

She is survived by her children, Edward Neil of Ingomar, Mont., her son, William, and Maribeth Boucher, of Fort Bragg, N.C., daughter, Diana, and Ron Burow, of Enumclaw, Wash., son, David Boucher, of Deer Lodge; and daughter, Barb, and Al Jenkins, of Lolo; as well as 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 5, at the Buffalo Hills Funeral Home in Kalispell.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made in Barbara's name to the Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Montana Supporting Soldiers, or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family