Marie R. Mares

Marie Rose Mares, 98, of Great Falls, passed way October 2, 2017 at the Highgate Senior Living.A funeral liturgy will be held on Friday, October 20, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church followed by a reception. Burial of ashes will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Marie was born on June 20, 1919 in Libby, Montana to Joseph and Mary (Brouillard) Kujawa. She graduated from Libby High School May 28, 1937. She attended college in Great Falls and she graduated in May 1967 with a degree in Elementary Education. Marie then went on to receive her Masters degree.She met the love of her life, Edward F. Mares, when she fainted at church one day. They married in 1938, having five children.Marie was a florist at Electric City Conservatory; she was an educator at Meadowlark, Skyline and Riverview schools in Great Falls. After retirement, Marie substituted and also worked for the English as a Second Language Program.She was a charter member of St. Gerards Church and Holy Spirit Catholic Church. She achieved master gardener status and worked as a volunteer at the Cascade County Extension Service answering gardening questions. She was a member of Rainbow and Great Falls Garden Club. Marie was on the City of Great Falls Study Commission, she volunteered at the Russell Museum Gift Shop. Marie was also a member of Neighborhood Council, College of Great Falls Guild, Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority, Great Falls Education Association and American Legion Auxiliary.Marie loved to read and work on her garden. She also enjoyed making flower arrangements and shopping.She is survived by her daughters, Caroleen (Jim) Willits of Fort Benton, MT, Kathleen (Ed) Murphy of Missoula, MT and Jean Mares of Great Falls, MT; sons Rick (Allene) Mares of Tacoma, WA and John Mares of Lakewood, WA; sister Carol Tjelde; brother Loren Kujawa; ten grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Edward F. Mares; parents; sister Eileen Maycumber; and brother Ray Kujawa.Memorials in Maries name can be made to the Holy Spirit Bus Fund, 201 44th St. S., Great Falls, MT 59405 or Peace Hospice of Montana, 1101 26th St. S., Great Falls, MT 59405.