Helen "Vi" Tarpley

Helen Vivian Vi Tarpley, 100, of Great Falls passed away on Saturday, September 20, 2014.At her request no services are being planned. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home.Vi was born August 21, 1914 in Great Falls, MT to Robert and Marion Hood, the youngest of three children. She was raised and educated in Great Falls. She married in 1930 and traveled with her husband throughout the northwest with his job and they began their own family with two children, Raymond and Donna.In 1945, her husband was killed in an industrial accident and she returned to Great Falls to be close to her family. When her children were grown, she went to work at the Paris Department Store. She became a fashion buyer and traveled to New York City and Los Angeles on buying trips four or five times a year buying merchandise for the allied stores. She retired after twenty-five years as an assistant merchandise manager. Vi continued to contribute to the community when she served as the coordinator of a class on fashion at the Commercial College.Vi loved to travel and did so with family and friends to Europe, Mexico; cruises to the Caribbean and Hawaii.She was a member of the First United Methodist Church serving several years as president of the Wesley Guild. She was also the city-wide organizer of the World Day of Prayer. Within the community she belonged to Rotana, Rainbow Garden Club, American Business and Professional Women, and Floral Arts Club. She made many lifelong friends through these clubs. In her spare time she played golf, became an avid bridge player, and volunteered where needed.She lived alone with help from family and friends until March of this year when she moved to the Lodge. Grandma Vi was dearly loved by all, especially the grandchildren who she took such special interest in through the years.She is survived by her children, son Raymond (Pat) Tarpley of Whitefish; daughter Donna (Konrad) Trettenbach of Great Falls; grandchildren Laurie (Tagg) Atkins of Ashland City, TN, Larry (Linda) Trettenbach of Billings, Kenneth Tarpley of FL, Penny Jackson of FL; great-grandchildren, Travis Trettenbach of Roundup, Branndon Trettenbach of Roundup, Austin (Sarah) Olson of San Diego, Dustin (Tonya) Olson of Great Falls, Shawna (Nick) Gascon of Missoula; great-great grandchildren, Kayla, Hailey, Briella, Liliana, Leif, and Owen; and many blended family members.She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Dr. Harvey Hood; sister, Hazel Hendrick; and grandson Ray Pete Tarpley.A special thanks to Margaret Dyche and Doris Mudd for their unfailing friendship and support they gave mom these past few years.