Betty L. Brown, age 87 of Helena (2024)

Betty Brown (87) of Helena passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of May 29^th. Betty was born on November 23, 1936 to Nellie and Lloyd Stickney in Helena. A middle child with two sisters; Joyce and Ruthie, she grew up roaming the west side of Helena; and spent her early years hanging out in the mountains and helping build the cabin on the Little Blackfoot. She attended Helena schools, graduating from Helena High in 1954. She faithfully attended the weekly beer and wings get together every Wednesday with her fellow classmates and friends over the last 20 years!

Betty met Jim Brown in 1955 when she recruited him for an ice skating show she was producing and the rest, as they say; is history. Betty and Jim were married in 1958. They had four children, David, Janet, Diane and what’s her name…. (Susan).

Betty began working at the A.M. Holter Hardware store in Helena during high school. She was proud of the fact that she was the last remaining employee when they shut down the store in 1958. She began typing Christmas letters for The Helena Letter Shop and quickly became the bookkeeper where she continued to work for over 20 years. During this time Jim and Betty built their first apartment building on the ”blighted” south side of Helena, living in the apartments as they finished construction. They soon acquired the house on South Beattie along with more apartments. The house became their primary resident where Betty and Jim remodeled, renovated and raised a family. She and Jim traveled extensively in the years after the kids ran away from home. From train trips and river cruises both here and abroad to ocean cruises and tours. China, Australia, Europe, and Mexico to name a few; but Africa was one place she DID not want to go!

She cherished the time that she and Jim spent at the cabin on the Little Blackfoot. Christmas tree hunts, x-country skiing, fishing, pig roasts and cribbage were among the numerous activities that the cabin saw. She loved entertaining family and friends. The more that showed up the more she loved it!

Her sense of service led her into volunteering at which she excelled. Betty began volunteering in the childrens’ schools as well as at St Peter’s Episcopal church. Over the years, her volunteer efforts were extensive. From election judge, to the YWCA, to tour guide at the old Governor’s Mansion, she was continually looking for ways to give back. She logged over 40 years volunteering at St Peter’s Hospital. Pushing around the hospitality cart for patients, running the patient representative program, managing the gift shop, and serving as the President for the St Peter’s Association were a just a few of the many roles she filled.

In 1989 she helped start the VA Thrift Shop at Fort Harrison which was set up to help military families in need of financial aid. She helped in many areas over the years, from bookkeeping, organizing and sorting to picking up deliveries. She continued to support the thrift shop until her death. The Independent Record called her “Volunteer Extraordinaire” in a 2008 exposé!

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Jim; four children, David (Ann) of Sheridan WY, Janet (Lane) of Helena, Diane (Tim) of Boise, ID and Susan (Jeff) of Boise ID; a sister-in-law, Edie Landry along with 7 grandchildren, one great granddaughter; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins as well as a number of close friends.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on June 7^th at St. Peter’s Episcopal Cathedral followed by a reception at the church. A Celebration of Life will be held at the family cabin on the Little Blackfoot River on July 4^th. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the VA Thrift Shop scholarship fund, the Montana Military Museum, P.O. Box 125, Ft. Harrison, MT 59636 or a charity of your choice in memory of Betty Brown.