Ellen "Sis" C. (Walsh) Tocher

Ellen “Sis” Tocher, age 86, passed away Monday, February 7th 2022 at St. Pat’s Hospital in Missoula Mt, surrounded by her loving husband and family.

Sis was born in Anaconda Mt on July 27th, 1935 to Hank and Marg Walsh of 711 Birch Street. She was the second of five children. She graduated from Anaconda Central High School and continued to be a proud Central Saint throughout her life. After graduating high school, she took a job for the Anaconda Company.

She met Don Tocher in her early teenage years. They married on April 23,1960 and started their journey together and soon welcomed five beautiful children. After their many travels throughout the United States, they returned back to Anaconda thinking they were settled, until one night at dinner, they asked the kids if they knew where Persia was. They dug out the map (there was no Google in 1975). With that, the adventure began again.  Don & Sis’s family of seven left the United State bound for Iran where they lived and soaked up a whole new culture for over two years. Iran was just the beginning for Don and Sis. After raising their family, Don and Sis’s travels brought them to Mexico for five years, Thailand for over a year, and finally Nevada, where Don retired. They returned to their Anaconda roots to live out the rest of their lives with family, enjoying watching their grandkids grow, and spending time with dear friends. 

Sis was extremely happy to be home with her family and friends.  She immersed herself in Toast Masters and discovered her public speaking talent, even bringing home a State Championship.  She brought so many smiles to our faces as she recited her “Give Me A “C”” speech throughout Anaconda over the years.  Another love was the friendships she had with the Anaconda Lady Ancient Order of Hibernians. Throughout her years of involvement, she was a Local President, State President, Historian, Mrs. Santa Claus at the annual Christmas party and the Grand Marshall for the 2011 St. Patrick’s Day parade. She marched with enthusiasm as a member of the Anaconda Ladies Washerwomen, and she never missed an opportunity to kick up her heels during festive Irish Dances especially when she could share those experiences with her grandchildren. Just this last August 2021, Sis (as the family matriarch) offered “free advice” to generations of family members who attended the 40th Annual Tracy Family Reunion in Anaconda. Sis helped to make this world a better place.  While she will be desperately missed, her stories and legacy will always leave us inspired and smiling.

Sis is preceded in death by her parents, Hank & Marg Walsh, her older sister Miggs Lubke, her grandchildren Emily Tocher and Koldon Kenny and is now reunited with her beloved son David. She is survived by Don, her husband of 62 years, her daughter Carolynn (Brian) of Spokane WA, her son Don (Diane) of Boise ID, and her sons Dan (Sandy) and RJ (Vicky) of Anaconda. She was blessed, and loved with all of her heart, each of her eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

We will celebrate Sis’s life on Friday, February 11th with a visitation at 5:00 pm followed by a Rosary at 6:30 pm and a Vigil at 7:00 pm at St. Peter's Catholic Church. The Celebration of Life will continue on Saturday, February 12th starting with a visitation at 9:30 am followed by Mass at 10:30 am and a graveside service at Mount Olivet Cemetery. There will be a luncheon to follow at Holy Family Church.

There is an old Irish legend in pre-Christian Ireland that speaks about the land of Tír na nÓg, the land of eternal youth and beauty.  It’s described as an Island paradise for the Celtic people who have since passed.  So as Sis makes her journey to Tír na nÓg, let’s give her “a big sis boom bah”.