Margaret MORRIS

Notes:

Our loving, caring and devoted Mother and Wife passed away on August 17, 2021 at the age of 80, following a courageous battle with Cancer. Margie was born January 4, 1941, in Fort Benton, MT, to Orville and Edith Morris. Margie had one brother, Donald, who died tragically in an avalanche when she was 11. She married James "Jim" on April 9, 1966. Margie and Jim had three sons, Scott, Dan and Mark whom she cared for with all of her heart! She was the rock of the family, the head organizer of activities, a pillar of the community and a shining light that all of us were blessed to share.

Margie graduated with honors from Fort Benton High School. She studied business at the Billings Business College then continued to study psychology at the College of Great Falls. She and Jim met on a blind date in Great Falls, Montana and after a brief courtship were married in Fort Benton, Montana.

Margie was a successful entrepreneur, being one of the first female sales representatives for Washington National insurance Company in Great Falls and she and Jim built a thriving business in Butte. She was instrumental in the implementation of a comprehensive computer program for K-12 classrooms in the Butte School District and was very committed to the young people of the community playing a major role in the creation of Teens in Partnership (TIP), Montana Teen Institute (MTI) and the Butte YMCA Teen Center. She continually inspired others through acknowledgment of their accomplishments through personal notes, written on a daily basis. Margie believed in practicing "learning for life.”

Margie kept books and operated multifaceted business operations. She served as a liaison between business and independent accountants, and even stepped in as head of a company in a President's absence. Margie was organized and a critical evaluator for prioritizing project needs and loved to help groups work towards a common goal.

She had experience working on the radio, television and newspapers and was a people person. Margie was truly dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the community, always striving to help others to realize their full potential.

Margie was involved in much community service through out her life including, Montana Tech Foundation Board, Montana Tech Search Committee for Executive Director, Montana Tech Foundation Nominating Committee, Montana Tech Search Committee for Chancellor, MSU Presidents Advisory Committee , Butte School District #1 Citizen's Advisory Committee, Butte High School Renovation Task Force, Teens in Partnership, Butte Teen Facility for Teenagers, East Junior High Home School Association President, Hillcrest Elementary Home School Association Treasurer, Butte Hockey Moms Organizer and President, Schilling Family Scholarship Committee Chair, Butte YMCA Board Vice President and President, Butte Chamber of Commerce Educational Committee and Community Task Force, Montana State Chamber of Commerce, Montana Community Foundation Executive Board Vice President, Greenway Steering Committee, Neighborhood Watch block chair, Florence Crittenden Home Advisory Committee, Rivendell Psychiatric Center Board, Governor Racicot's Business Council Renaissance Fund, Governor Racicot Task Force on Endowed Philanthropy, Butte Community Concert Member, Rainbow Member of Grand Cross of Colors, Silver Bow Weaver's Guild Organizer President and Charter Member, Chapter X, P.E.O. State Convention Chair, Butte Junior League Educational Committee Chair, Provisional Chair, Celebrity Series Chair and Public Relations Chair, the Butte Silver Bow Community Foundation Board, was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, a Board Member of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and was appointed by the Montana Supreme Court to the Commission of Character and Fitness for the State Bar.

Margie and husband Jim started the Thompson Distributing City Wide Food Drive in 1989 and The Butte Silver Bow Community Foundation with a matching grant from Anheuser-Busch in 1995.

One of her proudest accomplishments was her 7 years as a member of the Montana Board of Regents, and she retired as Chairwoman of that Board in 2002 and the Board in 2003. Margie received an Honorary Doctorate in Education from the University of Montana in 2003.

Awards Margie received over her lifetime include the Butte-Silver Bow Chamber of Commerce "Golden Apple" Award, YMCA Elmer Mester Award, YMCA Distinguished Service Award, Butte Silver Bow Chamber Commerce "Harold McGrath" Award, Butte Exchange Club "Book of the Golden Deeds" Award, and the Montana Tech Foundation Distinguished Leadership Award.

Margie is survived by her husband, Jim; her sons, Scott (Mary), Dan, and Mark; grandchildren Josh (Jackie); Ryan (Hallie), Ashley(Jason), Siena, Lexa and Tia; great grandchildren, Wyatt, Gabriella, and Harper; nephew, Rick (Brenda); great nephew, Karson; and in-laws, Bill (Pat) Thompson and Jan Wolters.

Margie is preceded in death by her parents, Edith and Orville Morris; Uncle Claude Morris, brother Donald Morris; Niece, Kelsey Morris and brother-in-law, Roger Wolters.

Margaret married James Edward THOMPSON on 9 Apr 1966. James (son of George Myhre THOMPSON and Elenora Esther WALKER) was born on 13 Mar 1939 in Cascade County, Montana; died on 1 Mar 2022 in Silver Bow County, Montana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]