Rita C. Sharbono

Rita C. Sharbono, 89, of Missoula, passed away on Saturday, March 19, 2016, at Community Medical Center, from natural causes.

Our mom was born in Milltown on Oct. 2, 1926, at high noon, as the whistle blew at the Bonner Mill. Her parents were Rita and Orville Spring. Mom joined her brothers, Eugene and Orville. The family later moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and lived there, attending school at Sherman Elementary and high school until her parents divorced and her mom, Rita moved to Missoula, where our mom completed high school at Missoula County High School.

Our mom met her future husband, Leonard Sharbono in 1945 after Leonard was discharged from the Army. They married in Post Falls, Idaho, on Aug. 12, 1946, and settled in Missoula.

Mom was always a happy person, living life to the fullest, always instilling in her family the sense of doing things as a family; hunting, fishing, camping, whatever the occasion.

Mom worked as a telephone operator at the mill in Bonner, Champion International then at Hoerner Waldorf, which became Stone Container. She was employed for 26 years.

In our minds and hearts, she always was the person who everyone trusted to be there when there was anything to be done in a crisis. She was loved by all who came in contact with her. She was a good listener and confidante. Mom was a second mom to many and was "Aunt Babe" to many nieces and nephews.

Mom was preceded in death by her husband Leonard Sharbono; her mother Rita LaVoie and step-dad Bill LaVoie; also her brothers, Orville and Eugene.

Survivors include her daughter SuAnn and son Dean; granddaughters, Kathy (Tony) Rosette and family, Emily (John) Krise and family and Brandi (Chris) Peryear; special friend Anne Mews and grandson Jacob Mews and great-grandson Jonas Mews. Also to be included are thoughts and thankfulness to mom's special nieces, Lillian Lehuta and daughter Jennifer, Lynn Poitras and family and Leah Norton and husband Marlin.

Our special thanks and appreciation to dear friend Kim Walters and daughter Jennifer Carlyle for the many years they helped in caring for our mom. It should also be noted that mom's caring, not only for people but also the many animals that were at her home; cats, dogs, horses, birds, squirrels, raccoons, and deer, many of which were cared for during their time at our mom's.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 2, at 10 a.m. at Garden City Funeral Home with a potluck reception immediately following in Garden City's community room.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Missoula Humane Society at 5930 US Hwy. 93 S. Missoula, MT. Condolences and memories may be left for the family at missoulafuneralhomes.com.
Read Rita Sharbono's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.