Hamilton – On May 19, 2015, Jeanne Marie Arvish, 76, of Hamilton, Montana was raised up on eagle’s wings to join her parents, Joe and Blanche Troy, her younger sister, Mary Troy, and her son, Greg Arvish, in God’s heavenly kingdom. Heaven’s gain is our loss for Jeanne truly made a difference in this world–not in an epic way for all to see, but in the way she always did things: quietly and selflessly. Jeanne was a woman filled with love and compassion, one who knew not of anger, malice, greed, pride, or jealousy; she was a woman of undying faith, a faith that never wavered in the face of her nine-year battle against cancer.
Jeanne was born in Davenport, Iowa on May 27,1938 and raised in DeWitt, Iowa. Upon graduating from high school, she studied nursing at Davenport’s St. Ambrose College, from which she graduated in 1959. She practiced nursing first in Davenport and then at the VA hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she met her future husband, Ray. They married on June 10, 1961. They lived in Tacoma, Washington and Missoula, Montana, where Ray practiced dentistry and Jeanne nursing. They eventually settled in Hamilton, where Jeanne devoted herself full-time to raising their six children.
When her active brood was not keeping her busy, Jeanne served her church and community in numerous capacities. For years, she played the piano at St. Francis Parish, where her up-tempo style, even on such songs as “Amazing Grace,” endeared her to the congregation. With Jeanne at the keyboard, the service always ran a good 5-10 minutes shorter, which was especially appreciated on those mornings when Father’s sermon was particularly drawn-out. (She never revealed until years later that she played so fast only because she was so nervous.)
The community associations to which she devoted her time included Haven House, St. Francis Parish Women’s Group, the American Cancer Society, the local Right to Life chapter, and many others too numerous to list. Although the cancer slowed her down in recent years, she still helped out whenever possible. When a call went out over the holidays to provide plates of cookies for shut-ins, she immediately answered it. Imagine her surprise upon learning she herself was a recipient of a cookie plate. She apparently did not realize she was supposed to be housebound. She also baked her delectable pies for senior citizens whenever called upon (even though her husband thought he was the only one worthy of those pies).
In her free time, Jeanne loved to read, garden, practice piano, laugh at jokes (particularly the more “colorful” ones), and play games–and, boy, did she ever love to play games. She always seemed to have a Mancala board at the ready, and just the mention of a radio station sponsored scavenger hunt was enough to bring out a gleam in her eye. None of her children will ever forget her and her youngest son’s quest for “The Rock.”
Those left to celebrate, and try to emulate, her life include her husband of not quite 54 years, Ray; son, Joe Arvish; son, Tony Arvish, and wife, Heidi; daughter, Annie Gilbride, and husband, Jack; son, Bill Arvish, and partner, Melanie; and daughter, Trina Arvish. She also leaves behind a sister, Anne Troy Countryman, as well as her adored grandchildren (and favorite Bananagrams opponent), Andrew Reiling-Arvish, Addi Reiling-Arvish, Augie Gilbride, Rosie Gilbride, Ella Arvish, and Henry Arvish.
We would like to thank her oncologist, Dr. Michael Snyder of Providence St. Patrick Hospital, for his compassionate care and encouragement over the years. Jeanne often remarked how he “always made me feel so good.” We would also like to thank all of her dear neighbors and friends who provided so much support. The meals, notes, visits, flowers, and prayers were a gift for which Jeanne and her family were forever grateful. Finally, we would like to thank Sister Margaret Hogan for always being right where she is needed, as well as Chris-with-a-C and all the amazing staff at the Marcus Daly Hospice Center for their tender care of Jeanne in her final days.
A memorial service was held on May 25 at Daly-leach Chapel in Hamilton. The funeral service took place on May 26 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Hamilton; the service was followed by a luncheon, before burial at Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Jeanne’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105; Haven House, 316 N. 3rd St., Hamilton MT 59840; and the Marcus Daly Hospice Center, 1200 Westwood Dr., Hamilton MT 59840.