Emma Mahoney

Emma (Fisher) Mahoney, passed away Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at the age of 104.At her request, a family memorial graveside service will be held at Highland Cemetery in Great Falls, Monday, August 29, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. (no reception).Emma was born January 27, 1912 in Stanford, MT to George and Alina (de Young) Fisher, who immigrated from Holland in 1905. She attended early elementary school in Stanford, transported by horseback or by her Dad in a horse-drawn wagon. The family also lived in Tiger Butte during her early years. Eventually, they moved to Great Falls so that all of the children could attend school in town, at McKinley Elementary. At the time Emma would enter high school, her parents and siblings moved back to the farm, so she rented a room at the Davies Inn (near the "public" Library) and paid for her room and board by working for the Inn and cleaning houses. At the start of high school, Great Falls High School classes were held in what is now Paris Gibson Square. In 1930, the new Great Falls High School opened and she was a member of the second graduating class, 1932. Emma was so determined to succeed that she was not just focused on her studies, and working for room and board, she was also a member of the Roundup (yearbook) staff, bookkeeping club, business club and Cercle Francais (the French Circle). She was the only member of her family to graduate from high school.In 1933, Emma married Clarence Mahoney. They started their life together as ranch hands at a local ranch until the depression forced the rancher to sell the stock, requiring Emma and Clarence to seek other employment in Great Falls. Emma's first job was sorting peas in a local packaging plant and she eventually moved to the Great Falls Meat Co. After more than 20 years, Emma retired from the meat packing plant in 1975. Throughout the economic challenges of the time and while working in jobs that were typically reserved for men, Emma was also a dedicated mother and raised three children Del, Vonnie and David.As her children grew into adults with their own families, Emma spent her time traveling with family and supporting the activities of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved to go out to breakfast and lunch and looked forward to every holiday where she could be surrounded by family. She also enjoyed following her favorite sports teams and athletes in football, NASCAR, baseball and golf. She was a member of the Great Falls Senior Citizens Club. Emma read the daily newspaper cover-to-cover, followed daily news broadcasts and enjoyed Hollywood gossip magazines. She was always well informed on current events and could easily engage in deep discussions or share a story on nearly any subject imaginable. Her sense of humor and quick witted commentary will forever make us smile. She was extremely proud, as she should be, that she lived on her own and was determined to be self-sufficient with her meals, laundry, lawn watering, household tasks and even shoveling snow until she was nearly 102.Emma was preceded in death by her father and mother, George and Alina (deYoung) Fisher; siblings John, Ted, Agnes (Bennett), Liz (Betty Owens) and Martin Fisher; son David Mahoney; son in-law Thomas Cunningham; grandson Don Mahoney; and grand-daughter in-law Shelly (Clapshaw) Mahoney.She is survived by her son and daughter in-law, Del and Bev (Duff) Mahoney; daughter Vonnie (Mahoney) Cunningham; grandchildren Doug Mahoney, Sandee Mahoney, Tammi (Mahoney) Hebnes, Duff Mahoney, Mark Cunningham, Terri Cunningham, Diana (Cunningham) Ness, Dean Mahoney and Dan Mahoney; 18 great grandchildren; and 5 great-great grandchildren.After 104 years Emma successfully moved through some great world changes that impacted her life from transportation by horseback to space exploration and through the difficult years of the Great Depression and World War II, the Gulf War and 9-11, not to mention the changes she saw in how the world communicates. She helped multiple generations of her family grow from learning to walk to becoming adults. Emma will always be loved and admired as a mom, grandma, great- and great-great grandma and friend and her impact in our lives through her experiences and stories, humorous and honest perspective on life, strong work-ethic, determination and strength. Everyone who knew her is truly blessed.Donations may be sent to Peace Hospice, 1101 26th St. S., Great Falls, MT 59405.