Kathleen Meredith

Kathleen (McAllister) Meredith, 95, of Great Falls, a retired cook and waitress who worked for many years in restaurants in Stanford, Belt, Great Falls and Sun River died of natural causes Sunday, October 30, 2011, at a local hospital.Her memorial service will be held at Hillcrest Lawn Chapel on Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 2 p.m. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home and inurnment will be held in Mount Olivet Cemetery. A reception will follow at Schnider Funeral Home.Kathleen was born on August 31, 1916, in Great Falls, Montana, one of 15 children born to Stephen and Rose McAllister. She attended grade school in Geyser and the St. Thomas Home in Great Falls before graduating from Geyser High School in 1935. After graduation, Kathleen moved to Great Falls and worked as a nanny for several prominent families. She eventually returned to Geyser and in 1937, married Charles Edward Meredith at St Cyril's Catholic Church. They resided in Geyser until his death in 1975.Kathleen was the loving mother to three sons, Charles (Sandra) of Great Falls, Steve (Sally) of Yakima, WA, and John (Connie) of Havre; four daughters, Ruby (Bill) Emerson of Vaughn, Patricia (Ira) Haskins of Land of Lakes, FL, Janice (Gene) Boyd of Sun River and Betty (Allen) Langan of Great Falls; a sister, Mary Combs of Rogue River, OR; two brothers Tony (Arletta) McAllister of Great Falls and Tim (Delores) McAllister of Geyser; 18 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.Many of you knew Kathleen as, Gramma, Aunt, sister and friend, but whatever your relationship to her was, she played a special role in our lives. She was the self-appointed caregiver to her brothers and sisters; a devoted and loving wife; and a nurturing mother. Her family will cherish the time they spent with her camping, fishing, playing cards and listening to her many stories. She was the life of the party and often the reason for the party.Kathleen was a well-known cook and waitress in restaurants in Geyser, Stanford, Belt, Great Falls and Sun River. As an entrepreneur, during the years the missile bases were being put in around Geyser, she turned her house into a restaurant and added a trailer court. She retired at age 89 as a receptionist at Campfire Boys and Girls.Kathleen was an involved member of the Geyser PTA, as well as the Altar Society and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. She held dear her lifetime membership in the VFW, something she did to honor her brothers and sons who served our country.She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles E. Meredith, on December 27, 1975; a grandson Dustin Meredith; and a great-grandson, Daniel Hay.Memorials are suggested to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 409 13th St. S., Great Falls, MT 59405.