Esther Mae Metcalf McConnell Petty, daughter of Ray and Grace Metcalf, and granddaughter of Bitterroot homesteader and Stevensville town-father, John Dowling, passed away on March 23
, 2014 at 93 years of age. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, she was born in Stevensville on February 20, 1921.
Descendents from her marriage to Leonard Clark McConnell, to whom she was married from 1941 until his death in 1972, include a daughter, Miantae McConnell, and son, Gregory McConnell, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Blessed to find love again, she married Mallie M. Petty of San Jose, California in 1976, survived his passing in 2005, and is, herself, survived now by Mal’s two children, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Esther was an avid supporter of human rights, animal rights and wilderness protection. She volunteered for decades. Family Service Association, Campfire Girls and San Jose Food Bank were among many organizations to which she faithfully donated time in the community.
As a young woman she enjoyed horseback riding, dancing and piloting open-cockpit airplanes. Once retired after a career as an executive secretary, she loved traveling the world with her husband and making new friends with whom she reliably stayed in touch.
Esther’s endearing charm touched many hearts during her long and full lifetime.
Memorial gifts may be donated to Family Service Association, The Humane Society or San Jose Food Bank.
Ashes will be interred at Riverview Cemetery, Stevensville, Montana this spring or summer. Friends and family are invited to call 415-387-1957 or 406-270-6519 for details.