Mary K. (Tavary) McLain

Mary K. (Tavary) McLain

Mary K. McLain, 52, died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011, at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, Mont., after a battle with breast cancer.

Her prayer vigil was 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, with her funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7, 2011, all at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church. Burial followed at Highland Cemetery. A fellowship was held at the St. Jude Parish Center immediately after the graveside service.

Memorial contributions in Mary's honor may be made to the American Cancer Society "McLain Family Relay For Life Team," c/o Cody McLain, 322 5th St., Havre, MT 59501, or to St. Jude Thaddeus School. Service and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Mary was born March 7, 1958, in Cut Bank, Mont., to Arthur G. and Glady (Limke) Tavary. She was raised and educated in Cut Bank, graduating from Cut Bank High School. She moved to Havre to attend Northern Montana College, where she obtained her associate in secretarial technology. While attending college, she met her soul mate, Bruce McLain. The couple married Sept. 6, 1980, in Cut Bank, at St. Margaret's Catholic Church. Together they made their home in Havre and began their family. Bruce and Mary had four sons.

Mary operated a daycare out of her home for many years.

She enjoyed watching the kids grow and mature into adults. After her children were more independent, she began working for other places: cleaning businesses and working at Taco Time and Dairy Queen. DQ will never be the same. She donated a lot of time to her church, St. Jude Thaddeus Church, volunteering as her children attended school and working as the alumni director for many years. Mary had a true gift for helping others. She put many people's needs before her own. She enjoyed the holidays, always making Christmas goodie plates for people. Her greatest joy was being a grandmother, life's reward after raising her children. Mary's favorite place was Lake 5, where her and her family vacationed every summer. Her family will continue to keep the tradition in her honor.

She was a member of St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, Relay for Life and Weight Watchers.

She is preceded in death by her sister, Rosemary Tavary; sister in-law, Lu Ann McLain; and her mother, Glady Tavary in 2010.

Mary is survived by her husband, Bruce McLain of Havre, Mont.; her sons, Adam McLain and Andrew (Rachel) McLain, all of Billings, Mont., Anthony McLain of Missoula, Mont., and Alex McLain of Havre, Mont.; her grandson, Aiden, of Billings, Mont.; her father, Arthur Tavary of Helena, Mont.; her sisters, Beth (Lyle) Courtnage of Havre, Mont., and Annie (Barb) Tavary of Helena, Mont.; brothers, Rick (Linda) Tavary of Helena, Mont., Jim (Karen) Tavary of Arizona, John (Diana) Tavary of Helena, Mont., and Greg (Merideth) Tavary of Hutchinson, Minn.; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many close friends.

Mary K. McLain, 52, died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011, at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings, Mont., after a battle with breast cancer.

Her prayer vigil was 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, with her funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7, 2011, all at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church. Burial followed at Highland Cemetery. A fellowship was held at the St. Jude Parish Center immediately after the graveside service.

Memorial contributions in Mary's honor may be made to the American Cancer Society "McLain Family Relay For Life Team," c/o Cody McLain, 322 5th St., Havre, MT 59501, or to St. Jude Thaddeus School. Service and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Mary was born March 7, 1958, in Cut Bank, Mont., to Arthur G. and Glady (Limke) Tavary. She was raised and educated in Cut Bank, graduating from Cut Bank High School. She moved to Havre to attend Northern Montana College, where she obtained her associate in secretarial technology. While attending college, she met her soul mate, Bruce McLain. The couple married Sept. 6, 1980, in Cut Bank, at St. Margaret's Catholic Church. Together they made their home in Havre and began their family. Bruce and Mary had four sons.

Mary operated a daycare out of her home for many years.

She enjoyed watching the kids grow and mature into adults. After her children were more independent, she began working for other places: cleaning businesses and working at Taco Time and Dairy Queen. DQ will never be the same. She donated a lot of time to her church, St. Jude Thaddeus Church, volunteering as her children attended school and working as the alumni director for many years. Mary had a true gift for helping others. She put many people's needs before her own. She enjoyed the holidays, always making Christmas goodie plates for people. Her greatest joy was being a grandmother, life's reward after raising her children. Mary's favorite place was Lake 5, where her and her family vacationed every summer. Her family will continue to keep the tradition in her honor.

She was a member of St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, Relay for Life and Weight Watchers.

She is preceded in death by her sister, Rosemary Tavary; sister in-law, Lu Ann McLain; and her mother, Glady Tavary in 2010.

Mary is survived by her husband, Bruce McLain of Havre, Mont.; her sons, Adam McLain and Andrew (Rachel) McLain, all of Billings, Mont., Anthony McLain of Missoula, Mont., and Alex McLain of Havre, Mont.; her grandson, Aiden, of Billings, Mont.; her father, Arthur Tavary of Helena, Mont.; her sisters, Beth (Lyle) Courtnage of Havre, Mont., and Annie (Barb) Tavary of Helena, Mont.; brothers, Rick (Linda) Tavary of Helena, Mont., Jim (Karen) Tavary of Arizona, John (Diana) Tavary of Helena, Mont., and Greg (Merideth) Tavary of Hutchinson, Minn.; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many close friends.