Mary Theresa Gorton, 92

Mary Theresa Gorton passed “into the loving hands of Jesus” on Feb. 28, 2013, at the age of 92.

Mary was born on Sept. 13, 1920, in Missoula, the youngest and only daughter of Frank and Angela Bucciol Gasperino. She attended primary grades at DeSmet, north of Missoula, and at St. Francis Xavier, furthering her education at Sacred Heart Academy in Missoula.

Part of her education included traveling with her mother and brother to Italy via France and Switzerland to visit grandparents and relatives. While there, she visited Venice and the Republic of San Marino.

Mary was an honor student throughout her high school years, serving as vice president of her senior class. At the age of 16, she entered college at the University of Montana in Missoula where she was treasurer of the Pharmacy Club and belonged to the Delta Chapter Honor Society for Women in Pharmacy. In 1941, Mary graduated from the University of Montana at Missoula with a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Pharmacy and was a past member of Kappa Epsilon Honorary in Pharmacy.

After graduation, she was employed in Missoula and Idaho and, for several years, worked for Al LaCasse at the BiRite Drug in Kalispell. She was proud to be the first registered female pharmacist in Kalispell where Al supported her throughout her work career.

On Feb. 23, 1946, she married the love of her life, John F. “Jack” Gorton, at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Missoula. He preceded her in death on June 27, 2011.

Prior to moving to the Evergreen area in Kalispell, Mary lived in Milwaukee, while Jack attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering. While there, she worked as a nanny for Harry and Rose Sanders. Mary and Jack also lived in Creston and Polson for a short time.

Since 1941, Mary had been a member of St. Matthew’s Parish, and later of Risen Christ Parish in Kalispell. She and Jack were active members at Risen Christ and the first greeters at the parish. Mary scheduled ministers, assisted with preparation of the altar and cared for the linens and candles for several years.

Mary was always happy with her children’s accomplishments, no matter how large or small. She loved and parented graciously, instilling in her children the love of God. She cared for them tirelessly and enjoyed her beautiful home, garden and yard. She was a meticulous housekeeper and made many award-winning lemon meringue pies (weekly for son-in-law Jim) until “retiring” to Buffalo Hill Terrace. While at Buffalo Hill, she and Jack were crowned king and queen of Buffalo Hill Winter Carnival in 2011.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and brothers, Albert W. “Al” Gasperino and Anthony A. “Tony” Gasperino.

She leaves behind sons, John G. “Greg” Gorton and wife Paula of Otis Orchards, Wash., and Patrick J. “Pat” Gorton and wife Reba of Clifton Park, N.Y.; and daughter, Lisa Ann Stack, and husband, Jim, of Whitefish. Also surviving are four grandsons, Michael Gorton, wife Kelly and great-grandson Ryan of Walla Walla, Wash., Alexander Gorton of Albany, N.Y., Nicholas Gorton and wife Kelly of McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., and Joshua Gorton of Clifton Park; one sister-in-law, Monty Gorton, of Gresham, Ore.; several nieces and nephews; and her dear friends at Buffalo Hill Terrace whom she considered family.

Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at Risen Christ Parish, 65 W. Evergreen Drive. A reception will follow the services in the Parish Hall with private inurnment at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

Memorials may be made in Mary’s name to Risen Christ Parish or Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Mary’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Mary’s tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.