Cheryl Marie Maclay (O'Hern)

Cheryl Marie (O'Hern) Maclay passed away in Missoula on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, of brain cancer. She was at home with her family. Cheryl went from her husband's loving arms into the arms of the Lord.

Cheryl was born in Butte on Dec. 25, 1943, to Pat and Kitty O'Hern. She attended St. Joseph's Grade School and graduated from Butte High School. She continued her education at Butte Business College. She was involved in the Civil Air Patrol and was in the stenography pool at the Montana Legislature at the age of 19. There, she was fondly referred to as Holly Holly O'Hern. Additionally, she was escorted by Tom Judge to the Governor's Ball.

She returned to Butte and was employed by KBOW radio. In 1965, she moved to Missoula and worked for KGVO. In 1966, Cheryl met the love of her life, Harry David Maclay, and from that union they shared fruits and labors of their adventures: Maclay market, Rusty Nail, Garden City Speedway and Harry David's Lounge. Cheryl also worked for Dr. Clancy Cone for 12 years.

Cheryl and David had two sons, Grant (Zoë) and Michael of Missoula, and stepson Tim Maclay of Billings. A precious gift to her was her granddaughter Jessie Maclay, of which she has a very loving and special bond, and to her delight a grandson David Lee Maclay of Great Falls.

One of her many joys was wintering in Yuma, Ariz.

Cheryl is survived by her devoted stepmother, Dorothy O'Hern; and stepbrothers, Tim and Gary (Christine) O'Hern of Butte; sisters, Nancy Erickson of Arizona, Patti Jo (Doug) Harlan of Missoula, Kathi (Scott Reichelt) of South Carolina; brothers-in-law, Jerry Maclay (Nancy) of Washington; sister-in-law Margie Mae (Bob) Hendricks of Polson.

We would like to acknowledge her closest friends, Donna Moses and Clancy Cone, and her favorite aunt, Gwen Giel. Cheryl was so fortunate to have too many nieces and nephews to mention.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Partners in Home care and Hospice or the local cancer center.

Cheryl's wishes were to have her friends gather and celebrate her life in happiness and joy at the Rusty Nail aka Eagles Lodge, 2420 South Ave., at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 after the Griz-Bobcat game!

God does love that sweet Irish Catholic girl from Butte!

P.S. Hurray, Hurray it's the first of May!

Read Cheryl Maclay's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.