Irene J. Muir, 101
Irene J. Muir passed away peacefully on the eve of her 102nd birthday, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019.
She was born and raised in Great Fall where she met and married her high school sweetheart, Jack Muir, in December 1940. They were transferred in their second year of marriage to Chuquicamata, Chile, where they lived for five years and had their first child, Linda. Irene always looked back on this experience as the adventure of a lifetime. Upon their return to Great Falls, Irene followed her passion for music and art, volunteering for the Community Concert program, playing the piano, and pursuing her love of watercolor painting.
After moving to Butte in 1969 she opened and operated the Summer Gallery for several years. She displayed her artwork at numerous local shows, taught watercolor classes and remained an active member of the Montana Institute of the Arts. She also loved golf and travel and was a member of the Butte Country Club.
In later years, as her vision declined, Irene returned to her musical roots. An accomplished piano player, she entertained her friends and neighbors at Big Sky Senior Living playing their favorite melodies from her memory of an accumulated 100 years of music.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents, John and Angeline Janetski; her brother, John Janetski; and her beloved husband of 70 years, Jack Muir.
She is survived by her sons, Jack Muir Jr. and his wife Sydney of Lakeside, and Daniel Muir and his wife Coreena of Kalispell; daughters Linda Coolidge and her husband Del of Whitefish, and Maryanne Muir of Florida; grandchildren Brian Oelberg, Laura Wilson and husband Haywood, Jennifer Muir Braunstein, Jeremy Muir, Jason Muir, and Justin Muir and wife Ninfa; and seven great grandchildren.
The family would like to express our thanks for the years of loving assistance and care provided by Big Sky Senior Living and Compassus Hospice of Butte.
Cremation has taken place. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at a later date at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Great Falls where Irene and Jack were longtime members, and interment of ashes will take place in Great Falls.