Mary Catherine Sloan, 90
Mary Catherine Sloan, 90, passed away on Feb. 10, 2025, at the home she built with her husband Gary on a rocky ledge overlooking Whitefish Lake on Lion Mountain.
Mary, fondly known as "Miss O’Neill" by her home economics students at Whitefish High School, was the second of five children born to Philip and Mary Helen O'Neill in Deer Lodge on April 28, 1934. The family moved to Superior in 1936, where Mary’s father had purchased a gold mine. The mine didn’t "prove up," but Mary treasured the time she spent with her dad at the mine up in the woods above Trout Creek.
After graduating from Superior High School Mary attended the University of Montana, earning a BS in home economics in 1959. She taught in Valier, Montana, for one year before moving to Whitefish, lured by the desire to ski on Big Mountain.
Mary and Gary Sloan, an English teacher at Whitefish High School, found they shared a love for the outdoors and kindled a friendship that led to their marriage in 1968.
Mary and Gary had many adventurous years, hiking, backpacking, skiing, canoeing, camping and fishing. There was no hunting camp like theirs. Friends joined them in the Big Hole, ending each day in the Sloans’ wall tent, where Mary, "Queen of Elk Camp," hosted three-course dinners followed by stories told and retold around the fire.
Upon retirement, they volunteered for several nature and conservation organizations, including the Flathead Audubon Society, the Flathead National Forest, the Montana Loon Society, the Montana Wilderness Association, the Montana Native Plant Society, and the Nature Conservancy at Pine Butte. Mary and Gary were honored with the Danny On Conservation Award, Montana Native Plant Society Special Achievement Award and the Audubon Conservation Achievement Award. The Sloans also built installations and created the native plant herbarium for the Whitefish Library.
Mary was adept at photography, botany, every home-making skill, journaling, organizing, design, and much more. Into her late 80’s Mary was still strong, fit and fast on the trail, yet equally content quietly observing wildlife that visited her place on the ridge.
Fiercely independent, Mary was charming and quick-witted. She had exceptional grace and character and was good company in any situation. Anyone who knew her would want to be just like Mary.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gary, two brothers and a sister.
She is survived by her brother, John O’Neill of Palm Springs, California, several nieces and nephews and many friends who loved her dearly.
A celebration of Mary will take place later in the spring.