Edith Elizabeth Guza

Edith E. Guza, 102, of Great Falls passed away on Sept 19, 2021. Viewing and visitation will be held on Thursday, September 23, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Schnider Funeral Home. A vigil service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday at Hillcrest Lawn Chapel. The funeral liturgy will be held on Friday, September 24, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with burial to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Edith was born on March 17, 1919, the daughter of Nicholas Edmond and Dacora Threasa Dolphay, who had homesteaded eleven miles north of Dodson, Montana. Edith grew up in a time and a place where you had little, and nothing was wasted.You made or you grew what you needed, and nothing was taken for granted. Out of necessity and scarcity, she learned to sew, to quilt, to Tat, and to crochet. The end products of her hand work were most often gifts to her family and others. She learned to grow things and preserve and prepare them. Her family and friends enjoyed her excellent cooking for most of her life. From the hardship of her early life, she learned to make do with what she had and to share with others. Coming from a large family and being the oldest daughter, she learned to take care of others in need and carried this learning throughout her life. Following her education, Edith moved to Great Falls and worked as a housekeeper and as a waitress for Tracy’s Diner. She then met a handsome man named Joe Guza. Edith and Joe were united in marriage on October 21, 1939, at St. Ann’s Cathedral. Edith and Joe welcomed there first son, Richard in 1941 and she stayed at home to raise her six children. Edith went back to work as a secretary at a school and then as an admissions clerk for Columbus Hospital. Her last job was as a bookkeeper with Firestone before she retired. Edith was a 70 plus year member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, being involved in the Altar Society, Church Circle, and as a Eucharistic Minister. She was blessed with a keen intellect and a vivid curiosity.She was an omnivorous reader, especially historical novels and kept current with CNN and the Great Falls Tribune.She traveled extensively in the U.S. mainland, the Hawaiian Islands, and Europe. Edith also loved to play board games and card games such as Pinochle, Cribbage, Scrabble, and Words with Friends. In her 90s she learned to use a computer and created albums of family history for her children. After moving to an assisted living residence, she learned to play Bridge at 97. At 102, she was organizing and keeping score for the pinochle games there as well. On her 100th birthday, Edith was asked about the secret of her longevity. She replied that she thought it was "acceptance of what is." She had that acceptance but also the ability to take what is and to make something out of it. Even in her final days she maintained and shared her sense of humor. We are grateful for what she has given us and to have had her as a part of our lives. She was loved by many and will be missed by all. Edith leaves behind her six children; Richard and his wife, Carmela and their children, Edward and Helen; Joanne Guza and her children, Laura, Debrah, Dirk, and Joanie; Bonnie Hocevar and her children, Mathew, Michele, Christopher, Patrick, Jennifer, and Casey; Mike and his wife, Shirley and their children, Liz, Raymond, Greg, Theresa, and Cindy; John and his wife, Donna and their daughter, Nichole; and William and his wife, Jean and their children, Sarah, Maha Mantra, and Nathan; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Lenore Pomeroy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe in 2006; ten siblings; and two great-grandsons, Matthew and Zachary. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Peace Hospice Residence are suggested. Condolences may be left www.schniderfuneralhome.com.