Mary E. Pyette

Our dear Mary Pyette died peacefully April 2, 2025. Mary was born to Greek immigrants George and Ageliki Pappas on May 19,1933 in Havre, MT. As a child she attended the "Pride of the Prairie" country school south of Gildford, Montana. As a reserved child, her first-grade teacher informed her mother that she would be held back if she did not begin to speak. Consequently, she started speaking and never stopped. She graduated from Gildford High School in 1951, where she actively participated in various activities, including the Pep Club and Yearbook committee.

Although Mary's first passion was photography and journalism, she pursued nursing, a field that interested her particularly after the passing of her father during her youth. She graduated from Columbus Nursing School 1952 and embarked on a distinguished career in nursing, significantly positively impacting Blaine County and its surrounding areas. Before commencing her nursing career, she married Willie Pyette, whom she met on a blind date. Following a whirlwind romance, they were married in Chinook, MT, September 1955. Mary dedicated herself to her studies even during their honeymoon by bringing along her nursing textbooks to study for the licensing exam.

Mary and Willie began a family and while raising 6 kids she continued to have a formidable career in Nursing, her first job was at Dr. Leeds office in Chinook. From there she was the Chinook School Nurse. She spent the greatest portion of her career as Blaine County Health Nurse. She was a passionate dedicated pioneer in Public Health, she worked with grace and tenacity to bring many programs into the school system, some were very unpopular at the time. She was ahead of the curve bringing awareness to the harms of smoking, dangers of drinking and driving, dealing with teenage pregnancy, to name a few. Her office was close to the school, so she started a group called "Kids are neat People" for kids to come over and she personally provided lunch to them and offered a safe place to be accepted and talk if needed. Looking out for women and children was her calling, especially the underserved. She treated all people with dignity no matter their situation. The list of initiatives and services provided could go on. Mary made house calls and many after hours visits.

Mary worked for Blaine County until 2003, then transitioned into retirement. Mary kept her Nursing License until she was 80, even after retiring, as she cherished her nursing career. She remained extremely active in the community by volunteering many hours to various groups such as VFW, Cancer Support Group, Relay for Life, Casa volunteer, Milk River Genealogy Society, and the Catholic Church. She became involved with Chinook Senior Center, starting a Cancer Support Group that met monthly with guest speakers discussing health concerns. Mary and others assembled jigsaw puzzles at the senior center, selling framed puzzles through silent auctions to support American Cancer's Relay for Life team, "Oldies but Goodies." She also served on the Medical Center and Sweet Nursing Home board for many years, stepping down recently.

Even outside of work, Mary was dedicated to learning throughout her life. She engaged in various hobbies such as sewing, baking, quilting and photography. In recent years, she was known as the "picture lady" for taking photos at Chinook events and family gatherings and distributing copies to family members. While raising her family, she sewed clothing for her daughters. Mary was skilled in cooking, with baklava being one of her specialties. She also took up quilting and became an active member of the Chinook Quilt Guild.

Later in life, Mary was overjoyed to become a grandmother and also a great-grandmother. She was there to support her grandchildren in all their events and activities as she had been with her own children.

Mary faced breast cancer twice with remarkable fortitude. She never voiced complaints and demonstrated significant strength and resilience during challenging times. Consistently exhibiting a fighting spirit, she maintained a positive outlook, confronting her health issues with unwavering determination and poise. Following her initial experience with breast cancer, she resolved to visit Greece, honoring the significance of her Greek heritage by making the journey a reality.

Mary lived an incredible life. She was very kind and a constant source of joy, strength and support. She fostered deep and lasting relationships, and her strength, determination, and generous spirit were a source of inspiration for all who knew her. She had a heart for serving those in need. Deeply loved, Mary will be forever missed by those who knew her best. We will all miss, "Mary's rules," "Mary said," "ta-da," her Gildford cheers and the poems and songs she'd memorized.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Willie Pyette, her mother and father, George and Ageliki Pappas and her brother, Ted Pappas. She is survived by her brother, Chris Pappas, her two sisters, Dena Pappas and Catherine Leiding, her five daughters, Patty (Hugo) Anderson of Kalispell, MT, Linda Pyette of Chinook, MT, Wilma Pyette (Dave) of Rio Verde, AZ, Claire (Jon) Stoner of Havre, MT, Wendy (Greg) Verity of Sunrise, FL, and her son Willie (Melissa) Pyette of Rio Verde, AZ Additionally, she leaves behind nine grandchildren: Becky Anderson (Randy) of Bozeman, MT, Hugo (Deidre) Anderson of Hobson, MT, Evan Anderson (Dakota) of Kalispell, MT, Gregory (Stephanie) Verity of Hampton Bays, NY, Christopher (Ashley) Butz-Verity of Henderson, NV, Lexi (Jake) Pyette-Holifield of Twin Falls, ID, Lindsy (Blake) Butler of Anaheim, CA, Jon Reece (McKenna) Stoner of Havre, MT, Rainey Stoner (Declan) of Denver, CO and many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, leaving a lasting legacy through her family and community contributions.

Memorial contributions or donations may be directed to the Chinook Senior Center, PO Box 1562, Chinook, MT 59523 or the Blaine County Fair, PO Box 1207, Chinook, MT 59523 or one's choice.

There will be a Vigil Friday April 11th at 7 PM, Saint Gabriel's Catholic Church, Chinook Montana. Funeral services and celebration of life Saturday, April 12, 10 AM Saint Gabriel's Catholic Church, followed by graveside services Kuper Memorial Cemetery. After graveside services a luncheon/open house at the Chinook Senior Citizen Center from 12-3 PM.

A live stream link of the funeral will be provided by Wilderness Funeral Home

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