Stevensville – Lorell McKean, 77, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with cancer.
Lorrie was born on January 7, 1939 in Eureka, Montana, the youngest of seven children, to McKinley and Marion Irwin. She married Bob McKean, her sweetheart of 51 years, on June 17, 1954. Adventurous, they moved to Alaska in 1957 to a small island in the Gulf of Alaska, where Bob did logging. In 1958 they moved to Seward and were there in 1964 for the big earthquake. Alaska held a special place in their hearts, but they returned to Montana in 1965 to be closer to family. Lorrie was a devoted mother and wife, and made her career of taking care of her four children. They split their time between her parents in Eureka, and his parents in Circle. The call to return to Alaska came in 1974, where they settled in Seward once more. After the children graduated and left home, Lorrie went to work at the local hospital until she retired. In 2005, they decided it was time to return to Montana. Unfortunately, Bob died that year, and she came to the Bitterroot Valley alone, living in Stevensville, to be closer to her daughter. Lorrie was a regular at the Stevi Drug Store, were she made many close friends. She also enjoyed her association with the Florence Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Lorrie was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, and is survived by her four children: Jennifer Hales of San Leandro, CA, Lee McKean of Wasilla, AK, Crystal Herbert of Florence, MT, and Brenda Mazen of Homer, AK, eight grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
At her request, no services will be held. The family would like to thank the Montana Cancer Center and Partners Hospice for their support. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.