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Helen Marra Obituary
Vigil service is 7 p.m. Tuesday at Whitted Funeral Chapel in Shelby. Funeral mass is 11 a.m., Wednesday at St. William Catholic Church in Shelby with burial of ashes following in Mountain View Cemetery.
Survivors include daughter Rosemary Furnell and her children, Glen Dean, Mike Dean and his wife Sandy and their children Tanner and Noah, all of Shelby; daughter Shelley Marra and her partner, Cleo Horner of Great Falls; daughter Kris Marra, her partner, Judith Kaftan and their daughter, Rachel, of Seattle; son Joe Marra, and his wife Yungmi, and their children, Sam and Maria, of Seattle; and special friends Jean Ann and Ivan Duve of Shelby.
Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Marra; father Andrew Thull; mother Zelpha Sheppard; and brother Jack Thull.
Jeanette was born Jan. 15, 1918, on a homestead in northeastern Montana, close to the North Dakota border. She attended a variety of country schools while her mother taught in northeastern Montana, finally graduating from high school in Scobey, Mont. She attended Northern Montana College for one year, and then attended Sacred Heart Nursing School, graduating in 1939, as a registered nurse. She worked for one year in the hospital at Fort Benton.
On Nov. 30, 1940, she married Sam Marra at St. Jude's Catholic Church in Havre, and they remained married for nearly 63 years. They resided in Great Falls while Sam worked as an air traffic controller during World War II. In 1949, the family moved to Shelby when Sam purchased the Marra Drug Store.
Over the years, Jeanette was active in numerous clubs and organizations including the Catholic Altar Society, BPW, Shelby Garden Club, Shelby Book Club, Montana Democratic Party, Bridge Club, Marias Valley Golf and Country Club, and the Shelby Bowling League. Jeanette also served on the Shelby School Board and was the Director of Nursing at the Shelby nursing home.
She enjoyed playing golf, reading, gardening, watching sports, playing bridge and visiting with her numerous friends.
She was beloved by her family and friends. Her graciousness and humor will be missed by all.
The family suggests memorials and donations to the Marias Care Center in honor of the wonderful care she received for the past two years.
Send condolences online at www.whittedfuneralchapel.com and/or www.greatfallstribune.com/obituaries
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Patti Cole
May 9, 2006
Dear Auntie Shelley & Cleo,
Please know you are in my prayers. Accept my heartfelt thanks to your mom for having and sharing such a wonderful daughter. I feel so blessed to have you in my life. Olivia and I will say a rosary tonight just for you. I love you, Patti Lu
Janet (Koke) Plant
May 9, 2006
Rosemary, Shelley, Kris, and Joe...
I feel so fortunate to have known your mom. I have wonderful memories of her during the time we were growing up and how your folks were such a part of our family. Joe, I remember the night you were born! Your dad stood under the street light yelling up to my parents that Jeanette had a boy! I can still see your mom in her kitchen and the recipe box I "inherited" from my mother contains many recipes from Jeanette that I will treasure. I would assume that the four of them are now on a wonderful golf course with my mom riding in the golf cart! I know how much my mom and dad valued their friendship. I want you to know that Charlie and I are thinking of all of you and send our sympathy.
Byung & Jung Cho
May 8, 2006
You are such a wonderful lady and
you have been our dearest friend.We'll miss you very much.
Yungmi Marra
May 8, 2006
I have been so blessed with Jeanette and Sam for my mother and father-in-law. They have so warmly welcomed and embraced me into their family. I am eternally grateful for all their love. They have been such wonderful role models for a husband's and wife's love for each other, loving parents to their children and grandchildren who all adore them. We are very fortunate to have been a part of their lives and in their circle of love. Jeanette and Sam will live in our hearts and minds forever.
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Steve and Loretta Ward
May 8, 2006
I was probably 12 before I realized that Samandjeanette were two people, Andy's daughter and her husband, and probably in my 40s before Loretta and I got to know them, enjoy their hospitality, soak up their warmth and good humor, take advantage of their invitation to stay in their cabin in East Glacier, so that when I think of them now the whole of northwest Montana sings Marra, Marra, Marra. We'll miss them both.
Michelle O'Leyar
May 8, 2006
Joe, Yungmi, Sam & Maria
I am so sorry for your loss but she is in the better place where there is no pain but love and happiness. Love you all.
Terry Cho
May 7, 2006
I remember Jeanette in her kitchen stirring many crock pots filled with Sloppy Joe sauce. I was amazed at the amount of food and found out she was used to cooking for large church gatherings. My memory is a bit fuzzy -- but I think Jeanette served them on Kaiser rolls toasted on her barbeque grill. I thought they were incredible! (That part I remember clearly.) She gave me her recipe and I reduced it down to an amount that would serve 12. The bottom of the recipe said “P.S. Season the above to your own personal taste. To Sam that means salt, pepper and garlic!” I think of Jeannette every time I make Sloppy Joes, but mine never taste as good as the ones I had in her backyard.
Sang Cho
May 7, 2006
I'm so glad I visited you in Shelby, the windest place on earth. I treasure my memories of you and your man Sam. Thank you so much for all your love.
Judy Feland (swenson)
May 7, 2006
Sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. She was such a special person. I golfed with her and also attended the garden club. She always made you feel like you were so important whenever you spoke with her. Our deepest sympathy.
Joe Marra
May 7, 2006
We will miss you, mom. Thank you for being my best friend.
Jeri & Joe Dalbec
May 7, 2006
Our heartfelt prayers are with you during your loss. Nettie was a true friend who will be greatly missed by all.
Missi, Lynn &Caitlyn Derenburger, Hencley
May 7, 2006
Shelley and Cleo
We are so sorry for your loss. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rae & Ford Lund
May 7, 2006
We would like to extend our deepest symphathies on the loss of Jeanette. I did not have the pleasure of meeting Jeanette but I have heard many, many loving stories about she and Sam. Our little girls, Lauryn and Nena, send their love to their Nana, Shelley and Grammy Cleo. We are so sorry for your loss. Ford and Rae Lund, Lauryn and Nena Horner
Irene Flesch-Waling
May 7, 2006
I am so sorry to read of Jeanette's death. I met her in the 50's when my late husband, Lyle Flesch, & I were in business there in Shelby in the 50's. I liked her so much. I know that she will be missed. My thoughts & prayers go out to you all! My Deepest Sympathy,
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