Mary Ruth Statham

Mary Ruth (Gentry) Statham, 86, of Great Falls passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at Peace Hospice.Funeral liturgy will be held Friday (TODAY) July 31, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Schnider Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.Mary was born on the family farm in Estill County, Kentucky on November 17, 1928 to Earl J. and Edith (Wagers) Gentry. She lived in the farmhouse, along with her brother Wayne, until she graduated from high school. Mary Ruth then moved to Lexington where she took a job as a receptionist in a local office. While there, she met her future husband, Laurel Statham, who was attending the University of Kentucky and they were married on October 19, 1951. After her husband graduated from college he joined the United States Air Force as a lieutenant and so began their whirlwind life in the military.The Statham family lived all over the United States, as well as in Germany, England and Tripoli, Libyan and Mary Ruth was proficient in being able to pack a household with very short notice. Where ever the family went, or was going, she would make the transition as smooth as possible so they always knew home is where the heart is. In 1969, Mary Ruths husband was sent orders to be stationed in Great Falls. From the moment she arrived, she knew this was going to be the place she would live forever. Mary Ruth took many trips throughout the years to beautiful Kentucky to visit her family, but loved coming back home to Montana.Mary Ruth lived by the motto I see no good reason to act my age.She enjoyed weekly volunteering at the Emiline Center, lunch dates with family and friends, taking bus trips around the US and Harley rides on the open road. She even had a helmet with Ruthless printed on the back that made her laugh every time she put it on, but her family knew that title was far from the truth. The one thing she loved most of all, was any type of get together with her children, their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She would always be there smiling, laughing and taking in the love from the family that adored her.Mary Ruth is survived by her sons Steve (Julie) Statham of Everett WA and Mark (Judy) Statham of Idaho Falls ID; daughter Kim (John) Gagnon of Great Falls; grandchildren Paul, Erin, Jill, Kelli, Kristen and Steven; and great-grandchildren PJ, Hailey, Max, Lia, Drew, Avery and Nole.She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother and great-grandson Tyson.No Bad Days!