Obituary - Irene "Shorty" Mary Louise Stuart

Irene Mary Louise Stuart, 88, otherwise known as "Shorty" Stuart, passed away of natural causes at her son's home in Gildford on Friday morning April 8, 2016.

Her memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, April 15, at Gildford Baptist Church with Pastor Eddie Fallo officiating. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Highland Cemetery in Havre.

Memorials in Shorty's honor may be made to Gildford Baptist Church or Gildford Park.

Shorty was born Nov. 27, 1927, in Nashua, Montana, to Michael and Marie (Ipperageurre) Tihista. She was raised in Nashua, graduated from Nashua High School and moved to Havre to attend nursing school. She attended Sacred Heart Nursing School for two years.

While living in Havre she met James Lowell Stuart and the romance began. The couple was married April 10, 1947, in Great Falls, Montana. They moved to Gildford where Lowell farmed with his family. The couple lived in the Gildford Hotel until they purchased a home from Lowell's grandparents, which they remodeled to make their own.

Shorty worked with Lowell on the farm and enjoyed helping him. Soon, they started a family and together had four children, James, Janice, David and Lynn. Her infant son, David, passed away shortly after birth.

Anyone living in Gildford knew Shorty, and you never had to wonder what she was thinking because she wasn't shy about sharing her thoughts. She earned many titles over the years: community caretaker, the kissin' grandma, nurse, medical assistant and trauma nurse. Along with raising her three children, attending their activities and working on the farm, Shorty also worked at Campbell's store in Gildford and was more than willing to volunteer for anything that was needed in the community. Shorty was very proud of her Basque heritage and attributed her years of good health to her "pure Basque blood."

Shorty was an avid walker and did so regardless of the weather. After every walk, she enjoyed stopping at the Gildford Merc to visit and play cards with her many friends. Shorty enjoyed being outdoors in her yard, if you didn't see her out walking her many miles you would find her mowing or cultivating her garden and flowers.

Shorty loved sports, especially when her grandchildren were playing. It didn't matter what sport it was, she was always there cheering them on. Shorty was known by every referee on the Hi-Line and wasn't afraid to hold them accountable for any unfavorable calls.

She enjoyed watching baseball on TV and rarely missed an episode of "Jeopardy" or "Wheel Of Fortune."

Shorty was a great cook. Her family and friends loved stopping by and enjoying one of her famous doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, mocha cakes, or goof balls. For years, she regularly cooked Sunday afternoon dinner for her family and loved having everyone around. Much laughter was had and great memories were made around Shorty's kitchen table.

Her life motto was "Laughter is the best medicine." Shorty truly lived up to that.

She was preceded in death by her parents; infant son, David; her husband, Lowell; and four brothers, Edward, John, Paul and Jerry.

Shorty is survived by her three children, James (Leigh) Stuart of Gildford, Janice ( Howe) Crockett of Vancouver, Washington, and Lynn (Rick) Melby of Kremlin, Montana; six grandchildren, Tawna (John) Meldrum, Tim (Dana) Meldrum, Tiffany Melby, Ashley (Nate) Molstad, Jake (Ashley) Stuart and Joe (Meghan) Stuart; 10 great-grandchildren; Reilly, Maia, and Taylor Parisot, Mattingly and Ava Meldrum, Dylon Melby, Emree and Regan Stuart and Ryland and Reese Stuart; and two brothers, Mike and René; and her beloved nieces and nephews.

You can only have one mother

Patient, kind and true;

No other friend in all the world,

Will be the same to you.

When other friends forsake you,

To mother you will return,

For all her loving kindness,

She asks nothing in return.

As we look upon her picture,

Sweet memories we recall,

Of a face so full of sunshine,

And a smile for one and all.

Sweet Jesus, take this message,

To our dear mother up above;

Tell her how we miss her,

And give her all our love.