Pam Hillery - A lot of life in 56 years

A massive sob came over Havre Thursday afternoon as word spread that civic leader Pam Hillery had died.

She had meant so much to so many.

On Facebook, in downtown conversations, in office buildings, people mourned her passing.

Not that it was a surprise. Since she learned nearly four years ago that she had the horrific disease ALS, Pam had been open about it. In Facebook posts, newspaper columns, blogs, in interviews and in public appearances she had been very open about it. She shared the most secret thoughts on life and death, on family and on community service. She wanted to spread the word about this terrible disease and raise money to help defeat it for future generations. She traveled to Missoula to take part in walks and engage in efforts to raise money.

Pam was far more ready for her death than Havre was. It hit us like a ton of bricks.

It’s hard to say that being doused by a bucket of ice-cold water was a honor, but I felt honored when Pam gleefully poured the frigid water on my head. Gov. Steve Bullock had taken a bucket to his head during the craze and then challenged eight Montana daily newspaper editors to do the same. I asked Pam to do the honors for me. She was delighted, The disease had already begun to affect her muscles, so she needed help to lift the buckets, but did do with her usual spunk and gusto.

Pam’s story in Havre began in 2000 when her husband, Paul Tuss, was named executive director of Bear Paw Development Corp., the Hi-Line’s economic development agency. Her life had spanned from Virginia to southern Montana, but it took her only a few days to decide that this place was heaven and she wanted to raise her family here and immerse herself in community life — the social, educational and especially the political life of the Hi-Line.

She guided the Havre Public Schools Education Foundation, helping to raise money for scholarships and other school projects. She served on all kinds of advisory committees and PTA groups.

She was a board member of the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line, serving as board chair for many years. She tried to step down as her disease progressed. They wouldn’t accept her resignation. She attended every Festival of Trees the group ever held.

Pam was an avid supporter of music and arts programs in town. She especially enjoyed Montana’s Actors’ Theatre and Havre High School drama programs in which her children participated. Barely able to move her arms, she posted all kinds of Facebook messages cheering on HHS band members when they were performing in the Washington, D.C., Fourth of July parade.

In her job as a counselor at Montana State University-Northern, she guided hundreds of students through this trying time of their lives.

She organized a local effort to support gay rights and same-sex marriage and was elated when the Supreme Court ruled in favor.

As her ALS developed, she became a mentor to others and an inspiration to all of us.

And, if you happened to talk to her for more than a couple of minutes, she might have let it slip that she was a liberal Democrat who believed that government from Havre City Hall to the White Houses existed to help people solve their problems.

She worked hard for candidates who shared her beliefs with many victories and a few defeats.

She served two terms on Havre City Council, and even as she was in a wheelchair, she was appointed to a one-year vacancy on council. She immediately launched an effort for a massive plan to fix the city’s decaying streets. After leaving office, she was afraid council was dragging its feet, so she showed up at a meeting. Unable to talk, she had Paul read a letter urging prompt action. When council delayed action, she fired off a letter to the editor.

She was a fierce competitor, but she counted among her best friends people of vastly different ideologies. She treated her political opponents — she never had political enemies — with respect, kindness and razor-sharp zingers she used to get under their skin.

Indeed, upon her death, Hill County Republicans promptly issued a heartfelt statement mourning her passing.

Among her most valued possessions was a letter from Hillary Clinton. In an interview, she told the Havre Daily News she wanted to live long enough to vote for Clinton. Pam’s longtime friend, Nancy Keenan, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party, forwarded the story to Clinton, who wrote Pam a touching letter of appreciation.

Friday night and Saturday morning at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, Pam’s friends will gather to celebrate the vast amount of life she managed to pack into her her 56 years. There will be tears and laughter.

As we go our separate ways, we will know that none of us will be able to take up the mantle that Pam carried for this great place we call Havre. But, hopefully, every one of us will do just a little more community service, be just a little bit more hopeful about life to take up some of the work of this great wife, mother, community leader, political leader and all-around great woman.

——

John Kelleher is retired managing editor of the Havre Daily News. He can be reached a 390-0798 or [email protected]