Emmajean Eaton

Emmajean Jeannie (Matson) Eaton, 91, passed away on January 2, 2015 in Great Falls. Jeannie was formerly of Shelby and had just moved to Great Falls in October to be closer to family.Jeannie was born on February 25, 1923 in Great Falls, Montana to Richard and Pearl Harris Matson. She attended kindergarten and first grade at Emerson School in Great Falls, after which she moved to Malta until she finished her junior year of high school. She was very active in high school, playing the clarinet and violin and cheerleading. Jeannie was also a lifetime member of Rainbow Girls. She moved briefly to Sacramento, CA where she began her senior year of high school. Jeannie then transferred to and graduated from Browning High School when her fathers work sent them there. She met Howard Monroe her first day in Browning and they were together until his passing on December 1, 1966.Jeannie and Howard married in Salem, OR in 1942 during World War II and lived there until 1944. They had two daughters, Patricia Jean and Doris Darlene, and moved back to Montana. Their son, Howard Mike was born in Great Falls.After Howard, Sr. died in 1966, Jeannie kept her home in Great Falls with her son, Mike. Her many years of working retail included Hesteds, ValuMart, the Paris and Anthonys, from which she retired. She also worked as a hostess at the Silk n Saddle and Holiday Inn.Jeannie met Russell D. Eaton in Great Falls, and they were later married in Idaho. She moved to Shelby with Russ until her recent move to Great Falls in October. While married to Russ, Jeannie travelled the country and recounted often the wonderful times they had together. After Russs death in 1992, Jeannie stayed in Shelby and became actively involved in several organizations, especially the VFW Auxiliary and American Legion. She held many offices including her 23 years as secretary/treasurer for the VFW Auxiliary. She was a lifetime member. Jeannie was extremely generous with her resources for years as she prepared for various events. She volunteered her home for meetings and functions for other clubs as well, including the Garden Club and the Cemetery Board.Jeannie enjoyed spending time with her family and traveled to Seattle, Portland, and Nevada. Her family all came together in Great Falls, 2013 for her 90th birthday. In 2014, she enjoyed a trip down memory lane with family to Malta and surrounding areas to share more of her family history. She loved her flower gardens and her Bobcats.Jeannie is survived by her daughter, Doris (Lou) Hills of Sparks, NV; son Mike (Betty Jo) Monroe of Great Falls; stepdaughter Connie Eaton of Seattle; 4 grandsons; and 5 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her extended family in Great Falls, which includes Connie and Ron Rust and Dona and John Davison.She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Pearl; sister Phyllis; daughter Pat; stepdaughter Pam Eaton Darris; and husbands Howard and Russ.We will truly miss Jeannie and her feisty nature, but mostly her loving and generous spirit.A celebration of life will be held this summer in Great Falls, with burial at Fort Harrison in Helena.