Mary Alice Magness

Mary Alice Magness

Mary Alice Magness, one of Anaconda’s all-time favorites, celebrated a longtime goal last June 24th, reaching her 100th birthday.  She passed away on December 28, 2020, making it to 100 plus 6 months.  She endured 18 Presidential administrations, from Woodrow Wilson to Donald Trump (and almost Joe Biden), Prohibition, Depression, World War II, Korean War, Viet Nam War, riots, pandemic and whatever else the world served up.   So it was A JOB WELL DONE!

Mary Alice was born on her mother’s 21st birthday, June 24, 1920, in Oakland, California.  Her parents were Rudy Fink and Anna Buyan Fink.  They were temporary California transplants from Anaconda, as there was little work at the time because of labor strikes.  When the ACM Company resumed operations, Rudy returned to his job as a crane operator in the smelter.

Many of her younger days were spent at her grandparents ranch near Melrose, Montana, south of Butte.  She loved all the work and learned skills like cooking, hunting, butchering, and housekeeping.  Her favorite event was being able to jump on the bed in the bunkhouse  on her birthday - something she also accomplished on her 100th birthday. The Buyan Ranch was a great place to survive the Depression.

Mary Alice graduated from Anaconda High in 1938, and the following year she enrolled in the nursing program at the Columbia School of Nursing in Great Falls.

She graduated in 1943.  She worked as a nurse in Anaconda for almost 50 years, first as the old St. Anne’s Hospital, and then was the head nurse at the Anaconda Nursing Home.  Upon retirement she continued to serve Anaconda, first as a Home Health nurse, then as a member of the Red Cross, covering disasters all over the United States.

Mary Alice Fink married Everett Magness on October 29, 1943, at St. Peter’s Church in Anaconda.  At the time Everett was on leave from his Naval 3rd Class Petty Officer duties on the transport ship the Mount Vernon during World War II.  He was at sea when their daughter Judy was born in September of 1944.  He was discharged from the Navy in early 1946, and spent his working life as an welder at ACM.

In February 1951, while Mary Alice was in the hospital giving birth to son Tim, Rudy and Everett bought a house on Cable Road by the Warm Springs Creek in Anaconda’s West Valley.  Mary Alice knew nothing of the deal, and the first time she saw it was when they brought Tim home.  After receiving help from many relatives and friends (and donated material from ACM) the “shack” became quite livable and she resided there for 69 years.  Each of her days were treated by a gorgeous view of Mt. Haggin out her kitchen window.

She and Everett traveled all over the world, and after his death in June of 1979, she stayed busy with more travel, learned how to facet gems and searched world wide for them.  Jewelry definitely became a hobby.  Like most grandparents she loved visits from all of her grandchildren and was entertained at many sporting events.

Mary Alice was preceded in death by her parents, Rudy and Anna Fink (Mick & Min), her husband Everett, her sister Annabelle Fink and her granddaughter  Andrea’s husband Austin Childress.  She has lost so many friends to death but is now reunited with John and Paula Petelin, Harold and Margaret Gransberry, John and Tillie Phillips, Will and Ann Ward, Ester and Bill Bell, and her traveling buddy Lois McNellis.

She is survived by her three children, Judy Stinson, Jim Magness and Tim Magness and their spouses Jim Stinson, Patti Magness and Mary Magness; grandchildren,

Kay Ann (Brad) Well, Mark (Amy) Stinson, Andy (Kristen) Stinson, Jennifer (Burdette)

Greeny, Chad (Kelly) Magness, Andrea Magness, Kourtnie (Levi) Gardner, Breanna (Tyler) Rolandson, and Great-Grandchildren, Bailey Well, Hunter Magness, Lauren and Leah Greeny, Evan, Mason, Ainsley, Everett and Grady Stinson, Raegan and Paisleigh Rolandson and Jayce, Jasper and Adilyn Gardner.  There are many, many cousins surviving, especially Bill (Judy) Fink, Mary Lou Malee and Lynn (Terry) Williamson.  Also close friend and supporter Bill Gransberry.

We are part of the thousands that have had to cancel any planned services at this time, but God willing we want to have a party next summer that will celebrate her life and reunion with Everett, so they can be “On the Road Again!”

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church on Thursday, June 24, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be held at Mt. Olivet with a luncheon to follow.