Faye E. Hustis, 83

The world lost a shining star on April 25, 2024, when Faye E. Hustis passed away due to complications of Parkinson’s disease at the age of 83. 

Born and raised with her sister in Great Falls. After losing their mother at a young age, Faye persevered, graduating from Great Falls High and became a single working gal in the late ’50s.

While married to Joel Edwards, her beloved son, Mark was born. After their divorce, Faye held two jobs to make ends meet, delivering newspapers in the morning before going to work as a telephone operator. By chance, she met a handsome man, who was in town for several months working on the movie production of “Thunderbolt and Lightfoot.” On their second date, he purchased her a refrigerator that had a freezer so there could be ice cubes for cold cocktails.  

The romance continued and Pat Hustis asked her to join him in California and be his wife.  Adventures were to be had, as they traveled to various movie locations throughout the US and Canada, where Pat’s ‘Hustis Camera Cars’ were utilized in filming. Usually living on-site in their motor home, they had many exciting experiences. One location brought them back to Montana and the mountains they both so loved, and it was in Bigfork that they purchased their dream property where they built their log cabin on the shores of Flathead Lake. A lively neighborhood with lifelong friends developed. Faye, (aka “Aunt Faye”) at 5’1” was a bundle of joy, and often you could hear her laughter through the neighborhood.  

Faye and Pat built and ran the Bigfork Marina with partners Kent and Carole James. They worked, played and laughed often and at the end of the year, the only profit they took from the business was dinner for the four of them at the Swan Terrace. In the off-season, the Hustis’ and James’ would return to making movies, returning each spring to run their Marina. Once fully retired, Faye and Pat enjoyed traveling in their motor home with their two dogs, Harvey and Harlot. 

Summers in Bigfork often brought their grandsons, family and friends to spend time with them on the lake. Eventually, Pat’s health moved them to Spokane but with his passing, Faye longed to come back home to her Montana and old friends. Faye returned and moved into assisted living, across the hall from her dear, longtime neighbor and friend, Elaine Toole Adkins. 

Faye is survived by her son, Mark Edwards; grandson Matthew and family; stepdaughter Kelly Hustis; grandson Patrick Dettrick and family; sister Patty Hasbrouck (Jon); sister Christy as well as her many close friends especially Carole James and Cherie Hansen.  

Aunt Faye you will be missed, we will keep you close to our hearts.