Mary Kearney (Pannebecker) Means

– Mary Means passed away in Missoula on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. Mary was a very kind, caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother, friend and colleague. She always had a sparkle in her eye and anyone close to her knew that she had a great sense of humor and an easy smile.

She was born on Dec. 3, 1934, in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Mary attended Altoona High School, the University of Penn State and Indiana Pennsylvania Teachers College. She loved her memories of playing the double bass in grade school, high school, and the city orchestra.

Mary was married to John Means on Sept. 5, 1954. She moved to Boulder, Colorado, in 1956 and worked for Dow Chemical and as a social worker for Boulder County. John and Mary had two sons in Colorado and then the family moved to Missoula in 1966. They had their third son in Missoula in 1967.

Mary worked as a proofreader for a psychological journal on the University of Montana campus, for the Missoula County Public Schools at Prescott School as an administrative assistant, and as an administrative assistant for the Montana State University School of Nursing on the University of Montana campus. She relished the times when students came into her office to sit in her rocking chair for a little advice or just someone to talk to.

She was particularly proud of the successes of all her family members. Mary is survived by her husband of 62 years, John R. Means and by her three sons and their wives, Eric and Sandra of Seattle, Kent and Laval of Missoula and Dave and Shelly of Whitefish. She is also survived by her six grandkids, Brittany, Ryan, Kira, Logan, Caden and Taylor.

She enjoyed reading, the outdoors and particularly living in Pattee Canyon. She loved the beauty of nature and all of her surroundings. She enjoyed the sunrise and sunset and picking wildflowers around the house. She also loved cooking her wonderful orange rolls, snickerdoodles, and providing joy to others.

Mary will always be remembered for her truly kind and caring personality. Her perpetual nurturing and caring touched the lives of all she knew. Everyone who knew Mary, knew they were loved.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to local palliative/hospice organization or Alzheimer’s research. A memorial service will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Missoula on Saturday, June 11, at 10 a.m.