Mary Blair

On Feb. 8, 1929, a generous compassionate soul was born to Zenus and Emily Putnam on a small farm in Monroe, Maine. Mary Elizabeth Putnam Thurston Blair completed her earthly journey and went home to the Lord on Jan. 26, 2016.  She left behind a loving husband, family, countless friends and lasting memories.  

Mary and Wayne Thurston were married in June 1950. They were married 19 years and had five children. During their lives together, they taught in Maine and Illinois before moving to Montana. She then taught home economics in Big Sandy and Box Elder. Mary and Wayne started a motorcycle shop in the living room of the old hospital in Box Elder, wheeling the motorcycles in and out the front door. In 1963, they moved the family to Havre and started Havre Cycle, one of the first Honda dealerships in the state. A Toyota dealership was added to the business along with an eight-lane slot car track during the winter that was the meeting place for Havre youth in the afternoon and Saturdays.

On Feb. 21, 1970, she married Leslie Blair at St. Paul Lutheran. For the next 46 years he was her best friend, partner, and loving husband. The St. Paul congregation welcomed them and the church and its members became an additional family.

She participated in the LWML Auxiliary and served in many capacities. She invited all she could to join her in worship. Mary supported Les in his service with Gideon's International. She loved passing out the white bibles to new nurses during their pinning ceremony.  She felt very connected to this because her mother had served as a nurse in World War I.

Mary returned to school and earned her master's degree in 1973 to teach reading in Rocky Boy and Box Elder. Beyond teaching she was an exceptional salesperson and was approached to sell real estate for Flynn Realty. This was her final career and she was very successful.

She worked as a realtor until she was 82 years old. She felt it was her mission to welcome people to Havre. She was the first smiling face many saw when they came to Havre. She treated those who were purchasing property, and those looking or renting, with respect and a desire to make life easier.  

Education was always important and she participated in many opportunities to achieve all certifications needed to be a professional realtor. She attended many national conferences and served in state and local organizations.

Mary and Les purchased and developed Havre Space Center. This also allowed her to welcome many to our community and it wasn't unusual to invite new residents to family dinners at Christmas because she couldn't bear to see them spending the day in a hotel room.

Mary was a strong supporter of 4-H. During her youth she raised lambs, sewed and completed many other projects earning a trip to national 4-H congress in Chicago. Many years later she and her friend, Burton Bosch, started comparing 4-H stories and realized they were in a photo from Chicago. Mary was a faithful buyer of lambs at the 4-H sale which she would then donate to the Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen. She loved fair time and looking at all the 4-H projects with her grandchildren.

Mary spent the last year at Sweet Memorial Nursing Home in Chinook. She quickly became a member of their family and always wanted to help others in need. Even with declining health, she maintained her sweet personality and uplifted everyone with her bright smile. The family thanks all at Sweet Home for their loving, exceptional care.

Her family misses her, but will try to perpetuate the values she instilled. Her legacy includes her five loving children, Vance (Mary Kay) Thurston of Bozeman, Vicky (Jeff) Michels of Box Elder, Sean (Ricca) Thurston (Ricca) of Palm Springs, Vaughn Thurston of Great Falls and Valerie (George) Callahan of Bozeman. She also loved her extended family in Canada,  Curt (Deb) Blair, Muriel (Bob) Malin and Steve Blair. She was blessed with 20 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.  

Cremation has taken place, and memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 1, 2016, at St. Paul Lutheran Church with Pastor Mark Schultz officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. Mary's family has requested that memorial donations be made in her name to Sweet Memorial Nursing Home, St. Paul Lutheran Church, the Gideon's International or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Mary's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.