Alice Jean (Belrose) McGaw, age 97, went to be with her Lord and Savior on July 24th, 2023, at her residence at the Silver Springs Assisted Living Center in Townsend, MT.
She was born October 29, 1925, in Aurora, Illinois to (Charles) Lester Belrose and Waive (Morel) Belrose. Alice was proud of her railroading father and enjoyed living close to her extended family. She shared many happy memories of picnics and fishing near the old family cabin. When Alice was 12 years old her family welcomed a baby sister Anne and they have spent their lives being best friends ever since.
Alice studied nursing at the hospital in her hometown of Aurora, IL and became a Registered Nurse in 1946. She and a friend from nursing school moved west to Sheridan, Wyoming in the spring of 1947. Shortly thereafter she met Wayne McGaw a young man recently out of the Naval Service who was attending the University of Wyoming. The young couple married in March of 1948 in Illinois. The summer after their marriage they relocated to Missoula, MT where Wayne completed a degree in Forestry at the University of Montana.
In July 1949 the happy couple welcomed their first son Charlie. Daughter Diane followed in 1952, Doreen in 1955 and Gordon in 1961. She took the most pride in her title of homemaker and mother to her family.
Alice loved the outdoors and the adventure of living with her husband and children in Idaho, Washington, Colorado, and Montana. Wayne and Alice moved the family to Townsend, MT in 1969 where she has made her home for the last 54 years. Playing Bridge and Pinochle were favorite pastimes, and she was involved in clubs everywhere she lived. She was also an avid gardener and enjoyed picking huckleberries and wildflowers in the mountains.
She is preceded in death by her parents Lester and Waive Belrose, husband Wayne McGaw, sons Charles and Gordon McGaw, grandson Lucas Tearle Johnson, great grandson Terrick Lucas Johnson, and dear friend Edward (Ed) Burtch. She is survived by her daughters Diane (Gary) Frueh and Doreen (David) Kennedy, sister Anne (Gerald) Knodle, grandsons Cliff (Kelly) Johnson and Jon (Kristen) Johnson, great grand children Sadie Johnson, Tyrell (McKenzie) Johnson and Cassidy Johnson and nieces, nephews, and their extended families.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on Alice’s behalf to the Mountain Valley Church in Townsend, MT of which she was a charter member. Her favorite bible verse Philippians 4:8: And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.
There will be a viewing on Friday July 28th from 4:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.at Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 212 Broadway in Townsend. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on July 29th at the Mountain Valley Church, 110 E. Street, with a reception to follow in the fellowship hall of the church. There will be a family interment ceremony at the Deep Creek Cemetery.
Service Schedule
Viewing
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday July 28, 2023
Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
212 Broadway
Townsend, Montana 59644
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday July 29, 2023
Mountain Valley Church
110 E Street
Townsend, Montana 59644
Reception
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday July 29, 2023
Mountain Valley Church
110 E Street
Townsend, Montana 59644
Service Schedule
Viewing
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday July 28, 2023
Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
212 Broadway
Townsend, Montana 59644
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday July 29, 2023
Mountain Valley Church
110 E Street
Townsend, Montana 59644
Reception
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday July 29, 2023
Mountain Valley Church
110 E Street
Townsend, Montana 59644
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Marcia Moudree Magnus says
So sorry to hear about you losing your mom. I am sure you are comforted knowing she is in heaven. Still it’s hard knowing you can’t just pick up the phone and talk. May God comfort you during this time.