Irene Catherine Bottomly

Irene Catherine Bottomly, 88, of Great Falls, passed away on Monday, August 6, 2018. A celebration of life will be Friday, August 31, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Irene was born on October 17, 1929 in Plentywood, Montana to John and Lillian (Hein) Hallesy. She was one of five children. One of her favorite memories was working at her father’s grocery store and delivering groceries to customers in a pickup truck. After graduating Plentywood High School she attended St. Patrick’s nursing program in Missoula where she met her future husband, Richard Bottomly. Her first nursing job was at Warm Springs State Hospital. She moved to Great Falls where she and Richard were married. She continued working as a nurse at the Columbus Hospital while raising four children, Catherine Beck, Rhea Modine, Joe Bottomly, and Barbara Bottomly. She returned to school where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in Education. She taught kindergarten at Skyline Elementary Schoool for many years. She helped establish the St. Ann’s soup kitchen, was president of PTA, involved with League of Women Voters, Democratic Women’s Voters, CASA, Peace Hospice, volunteered for the Red Cross, as well as many community organizations. Irene is survived by her brother Robert Hallesy of Plentywood; sister Mary Nicholson; four children; six grandchildren, Logan, Austin, Lindsay, Reid, Quinn, Conner, Preston, and Sam; and six great-grandchildren. She was a loving and giving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will be missed by many. Thank you to everyone who has in one way or another made this journey with Irene. We wish you peace. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Irene’s name to the St. Ann’s Soup Kitchen.