Obituary: Barbara Ruth (Abell) Conley

Barbara Ruth (Abell) Conley, age 83, passed away of natural causes Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016, at the Northern Montana Care Center in Havre, Montana.

Cremation has taken place, and memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 3, 2016, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church with Deacon Timothy Maroney officiating.

Barb was born Nov. 8, 1932, in Springfield, Illinois, to Victor and Nell (Robish) Abell - the oldest child of four and only daughter. She graduated from high school in Lincoln, Illinois, as the salutatorian of her class, and attended Lincoln College, where she received her associate degree. She worked as a lab technician at the state school in Lincoln, then moved to Havre, Montana, to continue in the same profession at the Deaconess Hospital, and later in Choteau, Montana.

Oct. 8, 1955, Barbara married Donald Lee Conley in Lincoln, and they made their home in Havre, where they began their family with their first baby, Catherine. She and Don moved many times in the next years, following his job as a meat cutter. Their six children were born along the way - Ruth and Mary in Great Falls, Charles in Malta, Michael in Cut Bank and Carol in Choteau. They then moved to Fairfield, where Barb and Don owned and operated Conley's Cash and Carry. Moving back to Havre to raise their family, Barb worked making pizzas for Danny's Saloon and at the Bernina Sewing Center. In 1972, she and Don opened Superior Carpets, where Barb ran the office and Don laid the carpet, until they retired together in 1995.

Barb and Don travelled for many years in their retirement, enjoying winters in the southwest, selling rocks and beading at rock shows, visiting family, and learning new things at Elderhostels. She bragged that they made it to 45 out of the 48 contiguous United States, as well as Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico and Guatemala.

When asked what she was most proud of in her life, she said three things: 1. her husband, 2. her children, and 3. that she was the first female City Alderman in Havre, proudly serving for 18 years.

Barb enjoyed embroidery, crewel work, beading and crafts. She was a voracious reader, oftentimes checking out a huge pile of books from the library. Barb enjoyed collecting, most especially Hummel figurines, dolls and paperweights from places they had been. When her children were younger, she was a Girl Scout leader, a Boy Scout leader, active in the PTA - serving as president - and very active in the local Democratic Party. Time spent with her family was treasured, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of her life.

  Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Nell Abell; her daughter Mary (Conley) Nivens, and her son Chuck Conley.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Donald Conley of Havre; her daughters, Cathy (Ken) Kihara of Havre, Ruth (Rick) Lagerquist of Plentywood, Montana, and Carol (Grant) Sather of Poulsbo, Washington; her son, Michael Conley of Havre; and her daughter-in-law, Connie Conley of Helena, Montana; her six grandchildren, Stefanie (Brent) Reay, Christopher (Melissa) Lagerquist, Jeremy (Megan) Sather, Jordan Sather, and Angela and Sara Conley; her eight great-grandchildren, Andrew, Alexander and Annalise Lagerquist, Katelynn and Adrianna Reay, Brody and Carter Sather, and Jaxon Sather; her brothers Victor (Carol) Abell of West Lafayette, Indiana, Michael Abell of Ohio, and David (Alicia) Abell of Arcata, California; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Her family has requested that any memorial donations be made in Barb's name to the American Diabetes Association, 112 S. First Ave. Ste. 5 #323, Laurel, MT 59044; American Cancer Society, 1903 Central Ave., Billings, MT 59102; or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Please visit Barbara's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.