Martha Mary Sloan, 91

Martha Mary Sloan, 91, “went to be with our Lord” on Oct. 6, 2016 at The Springs in Whitefish.

Born June 18, 1925, she was the daughter of West Glacier homesteaders John B. and Mary Martha Cook Sloan. The second youngest in a large family, Martha always preferred the working in fresh air to domestic duties, and she spent much of her time helping her dad and brothers with the chores around the farm in her youth. Martha graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1943, and she went on to further her education for a time in Spokane, Miami and Los Angeles. In her 20s, she accompanied her Aunt Minnie on adventures around the world, traveling to Europe, South America and Africa. She even kissed the Blarney Stone.

Although she had a flair for adventure and fun, Martha, or “Snookie” to her close friends and family, also loved her home area. She lived most of her life in the home built by her father and grandfather in the 1930s on the farm above the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. By many, she may be best remembered for her 47 years of employment in Glacier National Park where she worked as a secretary. She truly loved Glacier’s splendor, wildlife and, likely more than anything else, the community of fellow park employees. After retiring from the park service, she was commonly seen visiting with old friends and new acquaintances at local restaurants. A popular lady, Martha made friends everywhere she went.

Aunt Snookie was a favorite to many, many nieces and nephews. She was good humored and playful, loved by her family, and was a great friend to many. She enjoyed the simple things in life: picking huckleberries, gathering apples, gardening, hiking, fishing, and she had an impressive collection of unique old bottles, river rocks and driftwood. She enjoyed driving her lawn tractor and giving kids a ride; she played guitar for summer mass in Apgar with her sister Jane, she played bridge in a local ladies group, and she golfed. She loved her West Glacier community. At Christmas time she would round up children to sing at the program in the park. She enjoyed the company of pets, and had many faithful, furry friends over the years. She was a dedicated sister and always attentive to her family. She helped care for her brother Teddy when he fell ill with polio, and cared for her mother in her final days. Martha preferred others to herself and lived a life of uncommon and unfailing selflessness and generosity. She was always encouraging and championed those around her. She added something special everywhere she went, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, and seven siblings, Frances Tyree, John E. Sloan, Glendetta Nelson, Thomas Sloan, Dorothy Mackin, Robert Sloan and Theodore Sloan.

She is survived by her sister Jane Bolles of West Glacier, as well as family and friends too numerous to count.

A rosary service will be held for Martha at 7 p.m. on Friday Oct. 14, at St. Richard’s Catholic Church in Columbia Falls. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at St. Richard’s Church. Burial will follow at St. Richard’s Catholic Cemetery.

Columbia Mortuary is caring for Martha’s family.