Lucy M. Howard

MISSOULAâ�,��**– Lucia Margarita Ortiz was born March 8, 1924, in El Paso, Texas. She was the third of six children born to Emilio and Amada (Cortez) Ortiz. Lucy married Jim Howard on July 9, 1949. To this union were born three children, Patricia, Susan and James Jr.

In 1995, Lucy and Jim moved from San Diego to St. Genevieve, Mo. They relocated to Missoula in 1998 when Jim was terminally ill with cancer.

After Jim's death in 1999, Lucy became a Missoula Aging Services' RSVP volunteer. She served in several different capacities, but her favorite assignment was tutoring adults at the Emma Dickinson Adult Learning Center.

In 2004, Lucy moved to Burlington Square Apartments, where she spent some of the most enjoyable days of her life. She kept up a steady schedule of volunteerism, lunch with friends and service to her church. Two of her favorite Burlington activities were bingo and Wii bowling. She enjoyed competition and excelled in everything she set her mind to.

Lucy remained active until she broke her hip in May 2011. With guidance and assistance from Partners in Home Care Hospice, Lucy moved to Hunters Glen Assisted Living Facility in October 2012. In true Lucy spirit, she made new friends and bonded with her caregivers. Lucy remained cognizant and directed her care until the last 24 hours of her life. She joined her departed loved ones in the early morning hours of Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013.

Lucy was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Joe; sister, Rachael; grandson, Josh; granddaughter, Jamie; and great-grandsons, Derrick and Joey. She is survived by her daughter, Pat and husband Dan Kendall of Missoula; daughter, Sue and husband Steve Urmston of Tucson, Ariz.; son, Jim and wife Sharolynn Howard of Fort Worth, Texas; grandchildren, Sarah, Suzannah, Kristy, Tonya, Matthew, Lisa, Kelly, Stephanie and Russell; and great-grandchildren, Kyla, Hannah, Grace, Josie, Aiden, Piper, Reina, Maiya, Gianna, Gloria, Noah, Micah, Ana, Whitney, Michael, Tyler, Jesse, Taylor, Jacob and Travis. She also is survived by her two special nieces, Margie and Sylvia.

Lucy's family would like to thank the special people who brought joy to her life during her last days, the staff at Hunters Glen and Partners Hospice, especially Claire Sherwood, Nancy Pickhardt, Gladys Miller, Dan Dixson, Judy White and Shanley Swanson. Pat also has a special thank you to Tammy Eggleston, R.N., for her support during the last few hours.

Mom, thank you for instilling in us faith in God, a strong work ethic and the importance of service to humanity. Your indomitable spirit lives on.

Love, Pat, Sue and Jim.

Read Lucy Howard's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.