Trudie Twogood Lyons, age 64 of Hamilton, Montana, passed away peacefully at her home on March 28, 2014. Her grandparents came to the valley in the early years of the 20th century and established the Ford and Hollister Ranch just south of Darby. She was born on September 25, 1949, to Harry and Phyllis Ford Twogood and grew up on their ranches at Conner and in the French Basin near Sula. From there, she and her siblings had to take long bus rides to attend school in Darby. In 1969 the family moved to a ranch in Williams Lake, BC, Canada. Trudie and some of the family moved back to the US after her father’s death in 1972.
Growing up on the French Basin Ranch, Trudie developed her life-long love for animals and especially horses. She was involved early with horse shows, endurance rides and barrel racing and she worked for several outfitters and working ranches throughout the Western States and Canada including The Selway, Salmon River and Bob Marshall Wilderness.
Following in her Uncle Marvin Twogood’s footsteps, Trudie purchased a racehorse but soon found that her life’s work would be as a horse racing official. She travelled throughout the United States working for racetracks large and small where she and her dogs made many lifelong friends along the way.
Much like her mother, Trudie will probably best be remembered as the anchor of her far-flung family. She was always generous with her relatives and did her best to keep in touch with all of them.
After traveling on the racing circuit for several decades, Trudie came back to her home, the Bitterroot Valley, and her wonderful friends and family whom she dearly loved. Trudie’s fa
ith became very important to her and she soon devoted her time and energy to the Grantsdale Community Church.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Phyllis and Harry Twogood, and brothers Bill Twogood and Jim Twogood. She is survived by her son, Richard Lyons, daughter-in-law Mary, grandson Collin, brothers Robin and Mark, aunt and uncle Robert and Billie Ann Baird, and many well loved nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 12 at 1 p.m. at the Cornerstone Bible Church in Hamilton. A reception will follow. Trudie will be buried next to her family in Grangeville, Idaho at a later date.
Instead of sending flowers, Trudie wanted donations of any size made in her name to Montana Hope Project whose mission is to grant wishes to terminally ill children. They can be reached at PO Box 5927, Helena MT 59604.
She will truly be missed.
Brothers Mortuary & Crematory is assisting the family with services. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.brothersmortuary.com.