Mary Malyevac

Mary T. (Andrews) Malyevac, 95, of Great Falls, passed away August 19, 2016 at a local care facility.Mary was born on September 3, 1920, in Butte, Montana, daughter of Elizabeth Rokovik and Nicholas Andrews, the 5th child of nine siblings. She was fiercely proud to be Catholic, Croation and a Butte native. Upon graduation from Butte High School in 1938, Mary began working as an office clerk at Silver Bow Motor Company. She took advanced accounting and business law from Butte Business College, and worked as an Automotive Accountant for Wellman Motors (Chrysler), Wakley Pontiac and Kunkel Pontiac in a career that spanned 40 years. She was highly respected for her acumen and knowledge of the complex and complicated automotive reporting required by Chrysler and General Motors. In 1976, she ran unsuccessfully for the office of Treasurer of Butte-Silver Bow County. At the age of 83, she tutored a School of Mines accounting major, who aced his class.She married Peter A. Malyevac on May 4, 1947, in Butte, Montana, where they raised five daughters and were very involved in their childrens activities, the community and helping family, friends and neighbors. Mary was an excellent cook and hostess, and the house was always filled with family and the friends who wished they were family. She was renowned for her spaghetti sauce, prime rib, roast leg of lamb, and povitica. Her children and grandchildren would attest that grandma made the best French toast in the world.She was an excellent seamstress, gardener, storyteller and confidant. She loved to dance, loved children and was the best playmate a grandchild could want. Her Catholic faith was the foundation of her life. Growing up in Butte during the depression and war years, Mary developed the work ethic, independence, empathy and indomitable spirit that would characterize her life. She had an irrepressible sense of humor and always demonstrated grace and gratitude in the face of adversity. Mary lived by the axiom that The happiest of people dont necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along their way.In 2005, with the onset of dementia, Mary moved to Great Falls to be near her daughter, Carol. She resided at the Ruby House bringing joy and laughter to residents, visitors and staff alike with her antics, anecdotes and colorful expressions.She is survived by her daughters, Carol Mungas, Andrea (Bob) Mungas, Theresa (Dan) Mungas, Elaine Malyevac and Elise (Pat) Tidrick; a niece, who was like a daughter, Beverly (Jack) Hihnala; brother Robert Andrews; grandchildren, Greg and Renee Mungas, Nick Mungas, Jenny Dunn, Paul, Sarah, and Christopher Mungas, Jessica Malyevac, Katherine and Marissa Tidrick; 10 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents; beloved son-in-law, James Mungas; brothers, Vince, Peter, John, Matt and Andy; sisters Ann (Kapetanich) and Pauline (Verlich).The family wishes to express its gratitude to the staff at MT. Gems, Inc. for their competent, gentle and loving care of Mary for the past 10 years.Funeral Liturgy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 23, 2016, at St. Anns Cathedral, in Great Falls, MT, with inurnment in Butte, Montana on Saturday, September 24, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Guatemalan Mission, c/o Diocese of Helena, P.O. Box 1729, Helena, MT 59624; Lady of the Rockies, 3100 Harrison Avenue, Butte, MT, 59701; St. Anns Restoration Fund, 715 3rd Avenue North, Great Falls, MT; 59404; or St. Anns Church, 2100 Farragut Avenue, Butte, MT 59701.