Obituary - Ethel June (Hay) Birdwell

Ethel June (Hay) Birdwell, 84, of Havre, Montana, passed away on Jan. 10, 2015, of natural causes. Ethel was born June 10, 1930, in Savoy, Montana to Andrew (Dan) Hay and Edna (Rich) Hay.

She attended school in Savoy and Harlem, graduating from Harlem High School in 1948. Ethel married Raymond Birdwell on June 25, 1950. The couple lived in Oceanside, California, while Ray was stationed at Camp Pendelton, where their first child was born. The family returned to Montana in the fall of 1951, and moved to Havre in 1952, where Ethel remained until her death. She worked for many years at Buttrey's, retired for six months, and returned to work at Woolworth's, Gasamat and Hi-Way Grocery, where she met and befriended many people. She was known to many around the community as mom or grandma.

Ethel was preceded in death by her husband; a son, Dennis Raymond Birdwell; her parents, a brother, Blaine Hay; and sisters, Mary Belle Liese, Jean Neely, Alice Miller and Gloria Miller.

She is survived by her son, Andrew (Dan) Birdwell of Boise, Idaho; daughter, Susan (Taylor) Pierson of Livingston, Montana; brothers, William (Bill) Hay of Havre and Richard (Dick) Hay of Miles City; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Ethel is planned for 1 p.m., Saturday Jan. 17, 2015, at the Montana State University–Northern theater. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the local high school Girl Scout troop for their trip to San Francisco this summer. Donations can be mailed to PO Box 471, Livingston, MT 59047 for forwarding to the girl scouts.