Morgan Laine McQuillan

1994 - 2024

Our sassy lassy, Morgan Laine, decided to start 2025 in a different place. After a courageous battle with osteosarcoma bone cancer for 25 years, Morgan was diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer six months ago. On the early morning of New Year's Eve Day, 2024, in the comfort of her home with her brother Josh by her side, Morgan was reunited with her dad in heaven.

Morgan was born on April 3, 1994, to Sue and Pat McQuillan, growing up in Joliet, MT. Her life began with a fierce battle, at age 5, Morgan was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right leg. She was sent to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, where she underwent a rotationplasty leg amputation, followed by several months of chemotherapy. After relearning to walk with a prosthesis, Morgan defied the odds, proving the medical community wrong time and again over the years by learning to ride a bike, run, play sports, and drive a car.

However, the battle did not end there. At age 12, the cancer returned, proving this would be a lifelong battle. In recent years, Morgan was diagnosed with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that increased her risk of multiple cancers. Over the course of her life, Morgan fought osteosarcoma eight times, underwent numerous rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and multiple surgeries, including a hemipelvectomy in 2020.

Morgan excelled throughout her time at Joliet Public Schools, participating in sports, band, speech and drama, she was the Girls State and Hugh O'Brien delegate and serving as a class officer and FFA officer. Morgan earned both her state and American FFA degrees and was active outside of school, attending AWANA and the EagleMount Braveheart Camp as a camper and then eventually became a camp counselor. Morgan's commitment to fighting cancer extended beyond her personal battle. She was twice honored as the Grand Marshall of Relay for Life and became instrumental in organizing the Climb to Conquer event. In 2018, Morgan founded and was the president of Project Footprints, a nonprofit organization helping families in times of emergency financial need.

Morgan's passion for service extended to her professional life. Despite the toll of her battles, she graduated from Joliet High School, earned many scholarships, and went on to graduate from college cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services. After recovering from the hemipelvectomy surgery in 2020, Morgan became the Director of the Joliet Public Library, where she worked until her passing. She was also a dedicated member of the community, serving on the Board of LIFTT, speaking at the Montana Library Association Conference, volunteering with 4-H, she was an active member of the Joliet Lions Club, she had worked as a substitute teacher and was the assistant Speech and Drama coach in Joliet for five years prior to her latest diagnosis. In June of 2024, she was appointed by the Governor to the State Rehabilitation Council.

In the final years of her life, Morgan pursued her Masters in Social Work, receiving her degree of completion in August of 2024. She hoped to become a mental health therapist to continue her lifelong mission of helping others and was only steps away from completing this dream.

Morgan was known for her fighting spirit, infectious smile, and her incredible strength. She cherished her family deeply. Morgan was the youngest of four siblings and was fiercely loved and protected by her family. Her mother, Sue, was her constant rock, while her brothers, Josh and Cole, and sister, Katie, provided unwavering support throughout her entire life. She was also blessed to have her two sisters-in-law, Amber and Jolene, and brother-in-law, Jon who loved her like their own sister and would do anything for her. Morgan's most cherished role was that of being an aunt, which she became at the age of 10. She took great joy in being part of her nephews and nieces' lives. Morgan was blessed with many amazing friends who stayed at her side through the hardest of times and will forever be honorary members of her family.

She is survived by her mother, Sue McQuillan, her siblings Josh (Amber), Cole (Jolene), and Katie Croft (Jon) all of Joliet, her nephews and nieces Paxton, Camden, Mason, Colton McQuillan, Hailey, Zoey, and Patrick Hayes Croft, Uncle Ric Lamb (Cori) of Malta, aunts Cindy Lamb of Havre, Jean Ann Ellis of Billings, Kelly Roscoe (Robert) of Hayden, ID, Marsha Hines (Ben) of Big Lake, Rosalie McQuillan of Billings, and Mary Ellen Murphy of Billings, and her most cherished cousin, "Pooh" Kathleen McQuillan of Billings and many other dear cousins from the McQuillan and Lamb side. Morgan also shared a special bond with Diane and Al Senne of Joliet, who acted as an additional set of grandparents.

Morgan is preceded in death by her father, Patrick McQuillan, her maternal grandparents, Stella and George Lamb, paternal grandparents, James and Lois McQuillan, uncles' Bruce Lamb, James McQuillan, Mike McQuillan, and Aunt Mickie Walsh.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, January 12th, 2025, at 2 p.m. in the Joliet Public School gymnasium. A reception will follow at the Joliet Community Center. Morgan's request is for attendees to wear bright colors or polka dots. Family and friends will gather at a later date to lay Morgan to rest with her father at the Rockvale Cemetery, and to scatter the remainder of her ashes at Harris Hill, which was her and her mother's special escape.

Memorials may be made to Project Footprints or the Joliet Public Library. Flowers can be sent to Smith Funeral Home in Laurel for the service.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported Morgan and them throughout her 25-year journey with cancer. Your prayers, love, and support meant the world to Morgan, and gave her much of her strength. Special thanks to Morgan's exceptional medical team, especially Dr. Janelle Duey and Beartooth Clinic Home Care and Hospice.

Morgan's life was a testament to resilience, strength, faith, hope and the power of love. Fly high, Morgan. We will carry you in our hearts forever.