Mary Cecelia Tyvand

Mary Cecelia Tyvand, 89, of Missoula, passed away at her home on Sunday, July 16, 2017, of natural causes.

She was born on Feb. 9, 1928, in Anaconda, the eldest daughter of John and Cecelia Kantack. She attended St. Paul School where her first grade teacher, to the great objection of her mother, changed her name for school purposes to her middle name, Cecelia. The name change was dictated by the fact there were six Mary’s in the class, and she was one of the few who had a middle name. She thereafter became Cecelia or Cece to her school friends, a tradition carried forward to this day. She graduated from Anaconda Central High School in 1942, where she was described in her Yearbook as “satisfying her pastime by missing very few dances, formal or otherwise.”

She married John A. Dowdall also of Anaconda in 1946, and after brief stops in Missoula, Virginia City and Dillon, they returned to Anaconda to raise their four children. After divorcing in 1969, Mary returned to her long-time favorite city of Missoula, where she resided until her death. There she began a 22-year career at First Interstate Bank, serving as the welcoming encounter as she helped customers set up new accounts or sign in for their safe deposit boxes. Her return to Missoula with her two youngest children was a watershed in her life. Leaving her hometown was not easy but she never regretted moving to Missoula.

In June 1976 she married Ben W. Tyvand, former UM football star, and they had a loving marriage until his death on Nov. 30, 2015. They were fixtures at the Grizzlies’ football and basketball games for many years. They also loved going out on Saturday nights to the Elks where she could return to her favorite high school pastime of dancing. They were a striking pair on and off the dance floor. As in most marriages there were compromises. He promised to attend Midnight Mass each year and she promised to attend each and every Grizzly game — football, basketball and women’s basketball.

Mary had many interests, including sewing, reading, gardening (she was particularly proud of her tomatoes and raspberries) and keeping up with her 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Well into her 80's she walked six miles a day, developing a network of friends on the paths of Playfair Park, greeting every familiar face and addressing each dog by name.

She also was very devoted to her faith as a member of Christ the King Church for 48 years. When her son visited from Boston, she would identify to him nearly everyone in the pews with an anecdote about each. While devoted to her church, she would tell her children that she and the Pope had agreed to disagree on a number of matters.

Survivors include her son Patrick (Susanne) Dowdall, Wellesley, Massachusetts, Mary Anne Dowdall, Missoula; Colleen Dowdall (Jay Gilmartin), Missoula; and Karen (Christopher) Sandford, Seattle; grandchildren Brendan, Colin and Michael Dowdall; Adam, Tara and Eric Bucy; Siobhan, Patrick and Bridget Gilmartin; and Nicholas Sandford and 15 great-grandchildren.

The family thanks the wonderful caregivers that enhanced her life in her final months — Libby, Mikee and Caroline. Partner’s Hospice of Missoula served both Ben and Mary. We are so grateful for the kindnesses of each and every hospice worker that we encountered.

A funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 11 a.m. at Christ the King with Father Jeff Fleming officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Poverello Center, 1110 W. Broadway St. Missoula, MT 59802 in her memory. Burial took place at a family service on July 19. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. at the church prior to the service, and following the service, there will be a reception in the basement of the church.