Brooke Strong, 58

Brooke Strong, loving wife, mother and Nana, passed away on Jan. 6, 2016 after a brief illness surrounded by family. She was 58 years old.

Born in Denver in 1957 to Alderson and Marguerite Amick Boley, Brooke spent her childhood in Denver before moving to Forsyth in 1968 after the sudden passing of her parents. It was in Forsyth that she formed what would become several lifelong and cherished friendships, developed and honed her love of art and met the man who would one day become her husband, Charles Strong.

After graduating from Forsyth High School in 1975, Brooke attended Eastern Montana College for two years before moving to Phoenix, Arizona, to pursue her degree in art. After a year-long stay in Phoenix, Brooke returned to her hometown and married Charles, a man she had known since 5th grade. In 1982, Brooke and Charlie, along with their daughter Dawn, moved to Kalispell where she began

working as a Graphic Designer at The Mountain Trader and added two more beautiful daughters to their family, Clarice Elizabeth and Haley Rose.

Brooke loved living life to the fullest and was always excited to explore everything that Northwest Montana had to offer; from horseback riding trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness to rafting the North

Fork to sitting on her back deck sipping wine with family and friends.

Brooke is survived by her husband, Charles Strong, of Kalispell; her daughters, Dawn and Rory Murphy Strong of Medford, Oregon, Clarice and Mark Day Strong, of Las Vegas, and Haley and Matt Sanborn of Kalispell; four grandchildren, Kael, Lyla, Lexi and Madeleine; sister Robin and Charles Manfredi of Billings; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alderson and Marguerite Boley and sister, Toni Strong.

Brooke, you are the love of our lives. You will be dearly missed.

An intimate celebration of life will be held on Jan. 16, 2016, for immediate family. For those wishing to pay their respects and share memories of Brooke, a small get-together will be held immediately following the service at Scotty’s in Kalispell at 5 pm.

Memorials may be made to the non-profit of choice.