Phyllis Rae Stockwell, 87

Phyllis Rae Stockwell passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones at The HealthCenter in Kalispell on Jan. 28, 2018.

Phyllis was born in 1930 in Indianapolis to Clarence and Sally Westmoreland.

In 1951, she married Lyle Long from Shelby and together they managed a small retail store in Cut Bank. After the untimely death of her husband Lyle, Phyllis moved to Kalispell to be close to her parents.

In1975 she married Willard Stockwell of Kalispell. Together they were staunch supporters of, and contributors to, the community. Together Phyllis and Willard taught Hunter’s Safety in Kalispell and both were members of South Kalispell Volunteer Fire Department, where Phyllis was very active in the ladies’ auxiliary.

Phyllis was very creative and her hobbies included cooking, quilting, sewing, needlework, knitting and gardening. As much as she loved these activities, being a wife, mother, grandmother and friend is where her true passion was, and where she excelled the most. Phyllis was the very definition of hospitality and a cheerful giver. She was always willing to lend a hand whenever needed, whether it be a home cooked meal, a word of advice, or a shoulder to cry on. The love and compassion that filled her heart was a shining example to all she encountered.

She is survived by her four children, Michael Long, Linda Long and Lisa Burton, all residents of Kalispell, and Earl Long of Seattle. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Phyllis will be deeply missed by all those who had the blessing of knowing her.

There will be a graveside service to honor her passing held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 14, at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell.