Shirley Lucas

Shirley Meeks Lucas

GREAT FALLS —Shirley Meeks Lucas, 83, of Highwood and Great Falls, died February 9, 2016 at Peace Hospice.

The vigil service will be at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 201 44th St S, Great Falls, on Sunday, February 14, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. The funeral liturgy will be held there as well on Monday, February 15, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.

She was born October 28, 1932 in Browning. Shirley graduated as valedictorian from Browning High School in 1950. She married Vern J. Meeks in August 1950.

Shirley and Vern lived in Great Falls for many years. She was an active volunteer with Cub Scouts, St. Gerard's Altar Society, Great Falls Central Mothers' Club, and was a member of several coffee groups.

Vern took a job in Kalispell where they lived for several years. After Vern's death, she moved back to Great Falls, attending the College of Great Falls and earning a degree in elementary education in 1976.

Shirley worked at First Interstate Bank. She married Ted Lucas in 1988, and moved to his ranch in Highwood. She enjoyed 27 years on the ranch. While there, she was active in the Highwood Women's Club, the Choteau County library board, and was a docent at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center near Giant Springs. Even after Ted's death in 1988, she enjoyed sharing her lovely ranch with her children and numerous grandchildren.

Shirley was an avid traveler, cruising through the Panama Canal, the Volga River in Russia, and the Hawaiian Islands. She also visited Australia, the Holy Land and many parts of Europe and most of her own country. She was even caught kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland.

Shirley was a strong, generous and loving person. Her friends from the bank, the "Good Old Girls" had coffee every month. She also enjoyed Friday lunches with childhood friends from Browning, and seeing Broadway-in-Great-Falls shows with her friends from Highwood.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husbands, Vern Meeks and Ted Lucas; and her beloved son, Lyndon Meeks.

She is survived by sons, Lyle J. Meeks of Highwood and Landis (Juanita) Meeks of Cut Bank; daughters Pam (Ross) Fenton of Kirkland, WA and Polly (John) Shinner of Bothell, WA; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister Dolores Bloom of Simms; brother Reis (Margie) Fisher of Browning; Pippin, the adorable dog; and a large extended family.

Shirley's family requests that you celebrate her love of color by wearing something red to her funeral liturgy.

The family would like to thank the staff at Peace Hospice for their exceptional care of our Mother.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Peace Hospice, 1101 26th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405.

Rest in peace dear Mom.

Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.SchniderFuneralHome.com.