Helen Denice Radonich

Helen was born in Uptown Butte, Montana, on June 1, 1931, to Mary Cutler Hotchkiss Harrington and Dennis Harrington.  She was the 5th child of Mary and the 2nd child of Dennis.  Following her father’s death in 1934 her mother moved the family to a home on Dewey Blvd on the Flats after marrying Roy McKinney.  Helen attended St. John’s Grade School and Butte High School.  She and her sister Margaret became accomplished pianists along with mastering other musical instruments.  They were part of the Butte High Band that marched in the 1948 Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif.

Following high school in 1949 she went to work in a legal firm in Butte as a stenographer.  During this time, she and Margaret continued to perform at many venues in Butte and Anaconda as the Harrington Sisters.  It was at a dance in Anaconda in 1956 that she met the love of her life, Peter Radonich.

On August 24, 1957, Helen and Peter married at Butte’s St. John the Evangelist Church.  From this marriage came two sons, Michael, and Paul.  They made their home in Anaconda’s West Valley.  Pete and Helen had a remarkably happy marriage.  They were bonded to one another in many ways that can only be considered amazing. She was devastated when Peter passed away in 2020.  They had become inseparable after 63 years of marriage.

Helen had many hobbies, which included cooking and ceramics.  She and Pete enjoyed hosting family events and participated in numerous activities in both Anaconda and Butte over the years.  They enjoyed being a part of a large extended family with scores of relatives on both sides.

Helen was active in many local and state organizations.  She was an active member of St. Joseph’s Parish and the Anaconda Catholic Community, volunteering for many of their varied council positions.  She was the secretary of the Hearthstone Board for over 20 years.  She was a member of the Eagles Auxiliary.  She was a member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (LAOH) serving as Local and State President for several years traveling to many state and national conventions.  She referred to herself as the Bishop of Ireland, wearing an Irish Tea Cozy while holding her Irish staff giving Irish blessings to events both in Montana and across the country.

She is survived by sons Michael (Keith) of Camarillo CA and Paul (Bonnie) of Great Falls, 7 grandchildren; Emily (Josh) Granada Hills CA, Julie, Stacey (Jonathan), Aaron, Kaitlyn (Nickolas), Taylor, Jayden of Great Falls, and 5½ greatgrandchildren; sisters-in-law Carolyn Radonich of Anaconda, Stella McDonald and Floss Radonich of Spokane WA, and numerous nephews, nieces, grands and greats.

Helen was preceded in death by parents and stepfather, brother Wesley Hotchkiss (Kay), sisters Ida Gill (George and Charlie), Clara Knuckey (Ralph), Margret Rosetti (Attilio) and brothers/sisters-in-law Maggie Rustad (Irvin), Tony Radonich (Ruth), Kate Davison (Jim), Tom Radonich (Sandra), Matt Radonich, John Radonich, Clyde McDonald, grand son-in-law Matt Facto and great grandson Jeremiah McVeda.

Visitation will begin at 5pm on Monday, October 2nd at Holy Family Catholic Church, 217 W. Pennsylvania St. in Anaconda. Vigil Service will begin at 6pm following the visitation with recitation of the Rosary and sharing of memories to immediately follow all at Holy Family Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30am on Tuesday, October 3rd, at Holy Family Catholic Church with Rite of Committal to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Anaconda. A luncheon will follow the committal back at the church in the Hunthausen Center.

Memorials in honor of Helen are suggested to Our Lady of the Rockies or to the Shriners Transportation Fund of Butte.

Please visit the sidebar to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Helen. Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Cremation Services is privileged to care for Helen and her family.