Betty Geraldine 'Gerry' McHenry, 98
Betty Geraldine "Gerry" McHenry, 98, passed away peacefully on Nov. 15, 2023, at her lifelong home in Kalispell. She was born Nov. 6, 1925, to Raymond and Nellie Mather of Kalispell.
She was part of the "Greatest Generation" and graduated from Flathead High School in 1942. Her childhood was spent with her two sisters, Justine and Geneva and they were notorious for their impeccable style and sense of humor.
Gerry married William "Bill" Hellman in 1946 following his return from serving in World War Il.
They welcomed their son, Gary Hellman, in 1949. Her life was forever altered when Bill was killed in the Mann Gulch Fire of 1949 and Gary passed away unexpectedly shortly after at the age of 6 months old. It was a true testimony to Gerry's strength and character that she was able to survive this loss and eventually meet her husband of 55 years, Charles "Chuck" McHenry.
Gerry met Chuck in the summer of 1951. He won her over with his determination to court her, his ability to make her laugh and his passion for keeping a clean sock drawer. They were married in 1952 and they built their life in Montana. Although they always called Kalispell home, they also lived in Worland, Wyoming and Cutbank, where Charles was a manager/owner of Gambles stores. They were quite the pair and spent their time traveling and skiing, Gerry preferably when the sun was shining, dancing and spending time with their friends. She enjoyed ice skating and was on a bowling league, her pink ball and all. She also liked to dance and was known to be a card shark at her local bridge group.
They began their family in Kalispell, welcoming their children Genine, Mitchell and Jami.
They raised their children with a similar love of Montana, a good card game and appreciation for family. On the weekends they would pile their kids into their 1960 Oldsmobile for a drive through Glacier National Park, skiing at Big Mountain, or camping. In 1959 Charles built a lake home on Flathead Lake, which would become a family treasure loved by all generations.
One thing you could always count on is that Gerry kept a clean and welcoming home. She was a true hostess who always had the table meticulously set, your cocktail always refreshed and friends always welcome. You could always find her dressed to the nines and even into her 90's it wasn't uncommon to see her running around town in her gold heels.
One of the things that she was best known for was her Christmas cookies and candy. She would start baking batches of cookies as early as November and then send out boxes to her family and friends around the country.
She was a truly fantastic grandmother to her seven grandchildren. Her many rules and "tight ship" mentality seemed to disappear when she became a grandmother. Her grandchildren were welcomed with a cookie, a basement full of toys, and a warm hug. All of them were taught how to play cribbage, where she was notorious for "forgetting" how to play but would then soundly beat them.
She is survived by her sister, Justine McMenus; children, Genie Berard (Chris), Mitchell McHenry (Roxanne), and Jami Thompson (Tony); grandchildren, Britney Rains (Chris), Brook McRoberts (Josh), Morgan Beard (Jude), Wyatt McHenry, Orion McHenry, Cole Thompson (Victoria), and Levi Thompson (Abby); and great-grandchildren, Cameron Rains and Saylor Thompson.
She was preceded in death by Bill and Gary Hellman, Chuck McHenry, sister, Geneva Corbett; and niece, Kerry McMenus.
Gerry will be interred in Conrad Memorial Cemetery. A special, heartfelt thank you to Hospice and other caregivers for their help and care during her final days.