Betty Louise Clay, 84, of Helena, MT died of natural causes at the Rocky Mountain Care facility in Helena, MT on Friday, April 22, 2016. Betty was visited that day, and in the days immediately preceding her death by many members of her family.
Betty was born August 24, 1931 in Eureka, MT to John and Marjorie Collins. She joined an older sister, Mary Margaret Collins. Betty’s father worked for the Great Northern Railroad and her mother was a homemaker and worked various jobs to help the family through the years of the great depression. She enjoyed her years growing up as a country girl in northwestern Montana and graduated from Lincoln County High School in Eureka in 1948.
Following high school, Betty enrolled in the nursing program at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula, MT. She completed that program (and much subsequent training) and worked many years as a registered nurse, beginning her career in Townsend, MT. During her time working at the hospital in Townsend, she met her future husband, James T. “Jim” Clay who was working there as a laboratory technician.
Jim and Betty were married on August 23, 1952. They moved to Helena, MT where Betty was a nurse at St. Peter’s Hospital while Jim began his education to become a pharmacist. During the early years of their marriage, they also lived in Portland, OR and Missoula and Havre, MT as Jim completed his education and began his career as a pharmacist. In 1961, they settled in White Sulphur Springs, MT. Their marriage saw the birth of six children: Jim, John “Mike”, Kathy, Tom, Kim and Neil. During these years, Betty was a homemaker and worked as a registered nurse at the hospital in White Sulphur Springs. She also participated in Hobby Club, Garden Club, played bridge, and was active in the church. Jim and Betty were divorced in August, 1978 and Jim died in 1986.
Following her divorce, Betty moved to Billings, MT in 1981 and continued her career in nursing at Billings Deaconess Hospital. She retired in 1993 and returned to White Sulphur Springs in early 1995 where she became a parish nurse and volunteered extensively at St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church and various organizations. She enjoyed those years immensely and spent many hours trying to help others in the community.
As Betty’s health began to fail, she moved to Helena, MT in 2008 to be nearer to family members. She made many friends in Helena and her neighbor, John Gray, was a big help to her for years. She enjoyed playing bridge with her friends and volunteering at St. Peter’s Hospital.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, John and Marjorie Collins, her sister Mary; and her in-laws, Bess and Harold Clay. She also lost her youngest son, Neil, in 2005.
Betty is survived by five of her children: Jim Clay of Douglas, WY; John (Sandi) Clay of East Helena; Kathy (Rex) Seeley of Helena, Kim (Paul) Frisbie and Tom Clay of White Sulphur Springs. She is survived by eight grandchildren: Lyndan and Leah Clay, Ann and Nick Seeley, Devan and Keely Petersen, Zane Frisbie, and Michael Clay. She is also survived by nieces Linda Stinger (Medford, OR), Mary Lynn Keaton (Prineville, OR), and Norma Stinger (Ferndale, CA) and their families.
We would like to express special thanks to the staff and residents at the Son Heaven Assisted Living facility in Helena. We are very grateful for the care, warmth and friends Betty enjoyed during her time there.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 30, 2016 at St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church in White Sulphur Springs. Rite of Committal will follow at Mayn Cemetery. A funeral reception will follow the burial at the Meagher County Senior Center.
The family suggests memorials to St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church in White Sulphur Springs, or the Meagher County Senior Center. To offer the family condolences, share special thoughts or personal comments in memory of Betty please visit below.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Saturday April 30, 2016
St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church
White Sulphur Springs, Montana
Rite of Committal
Immediately following the Funeral Mass
Saturday April 30, 2016
Mayn Cemetery
White Sulphur Springs, Montana
Funeral Reception
Immediately following the Rite of Committal
Saturday April 30, 2016
Meagher County Senior Center
White Sulphur Springs, Montana
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
10:00 a.m.
Saturday April 30, 2016
St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church
White Sulphur Springs, Montana
Rite of Committal
Immediately following the Funeral Mass
Saturday April 30, 2016
Mayn Cemetery
White Sulphur Springs, Montana
Funeral Reception
Immediately following the Rite of Committal
Saturday April 30, 2016
Meagher County Senior Center
White Sulphur Springs, Montana
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Coreen "corky" Rooney says
So sorry for your loss. Betty was a beautiful sweet lady.
Carrie Schendel Wildcat says
Betty was a wonderful person! She tought my CNA classes back when I was 18 yrs old! She was a great teacher and knowledgeable lady! She will be greatly missed! My thoughts and prayers are with Tom Clay and Kim Frisbie and the rest of the family!
Chuck Larson says
Betty was a great friend and will be missed by all who knew her.
Susan sereday says
Betty was a great nurse, very kind person. Who will be missed by many. I enjoyed working with Betty she taught me how to be a CNA. Rest in peace
Janice Howell Chapman says
Betty was a great teacher and encouraged me to become an R.N.. Betty brought smiles and warmth to everyone around her. I was honored to know and work with her.
Shauna Porter says
I am sorry for your loss. I just loved Betty and her beautiful smile. She was a true Angel on Earth. She will be missed by all of us.
Linda says
Betty was a wonderful friend, a true lady. She will be missed by all and was so loved by her grandchildren. She was “Grandma Coco” to her grandson, Zane and was so loved. Rest in peace, Betty, you deserve all the accolades from here and in heaven.
Mary Ellen Schnur says
What a precious lady! I enjoyed working with Betty and knowing her. Her family and many friends are a testament to her loving life. She truly lived God’s commandment to love others.
Pattie Berg says
I’m so sorry to hear of Betty’s passing. Her comfort, compassion and caring when Dad was sick made a difficult situation easier. Mom also enjoyed visiting with her recently at the care center. I wish you all the best.
Shelly Miller Johnson says
I’m so sorry to hear of Betty’s passing and know that she is in a kind and loving place. I always enjoyed visiting with her and my mom, Fay Miller, and listening to their stories of growing up in Eureka and up Pinkham Creek. I remember going to Margie’s house and rolling down the hill while the grownups visited in the house. I will always remember her as being an intelligent, strong and compassionate woman. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Fr Michael Poole says
When I think of Betty, I will always remember her humble way of serving others. Christ shone brilliantly in her wonderful smile and her engaging enthusiasm. Betty was a brilliant light in my pastoral ministry in White Silver Springs. I look forward to one day being in her presence and experience the warmth of her spirit.