Fay Lorraine Wages

Fay Lorraine Wages

Our angel, Fay Lorraine Wages passed away on March 3, 2023, with her beloved granddaughter, Morgan by her side. Fay was born April 20, 1928 to Richard and Christina Wilkinson in Missoula, MT. Her sister Doris soon followed. She graduated from Missoula County High School in June of 1946. After school, Fay worked as a secretary for various businesses in Missoula. Fay met the love of her life, Wayne, and they married on November 30, 1946 and celebrated 47 years of marriage. After many years of working for others, they opened the Wages Agency, selling Lithonia lighting. While they celebrated many awards with their business, their biggest reward was raising four children, Carol, Terry, Bruce, and Janice.

Fay was a lifelong member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, a member of the Southside Lady Lions, and an avid Griz fan. Fay lived for game day, being a season ticket holder for both football and basketball for many years. When she could no longer navigate the stairs at the stadium or in the field house, she watched the games on TV religiously. Fay also loved to bowl and she bowled for over 70 years.

After retiring and selling the Wages Agency in 1992 and Wayne's passing in 1993, Fay surrounded herself with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She spent her final years living at the Missoula Manor where you would find her playing cards most nights. If not at the Manor, she was at the Senior Center playing cards. Her last card game was a week before her passing.

Fay was preceded in death by her parents, husband Wayne, sons Terry and Bruce, sister Doris and many extended family members. She is survived by her daughters, Carol (Lyle) Muessig of Billings; Janice (Danny) Cook of Missoula; Daughter-in-Law, Karen Wages of Missoula. Granddaughters, Aimee Hamilton (Erik Hammerstrom) of Tacoma; Van (Marissa) Hager of Tigard; Andrea Hamilton (Andrew Bello) of Atlanta; Bobbi Jo (Mike) Sampson of Billings; Britni Brown in Mississippi; Kali (Jeff) Wood of Missoula; Josh (Sierra Winters) Bean of Missoula, Morgan Bean (Brett Bielby) of Missoula. Her great grandchildren, Piper, Halle, Ryan, Ciera, Tristin, Isabel, Kai, Aidan, Greyson, Payton, Finley, Marley, Cash and Charlotte. She is also survived by her very best friend Lou Ann Sharkey.

Services will be held in the summer. Contributions can be made to the Southside Lions Club for their eye program, Missoula Senior Center, or the charity of your choice. Mom, we know you are up in heaven celebrating with all who preceded you, cooking food for an army, and gathering around the table for hours, like we used to do. We will forever remember your strength and the love you gave to all of us and only hope we can live a life like you did.