Georgia Lee Marion

Born Oct 12,1946, in National City, CA, and gained her angel wings on February 16, 2025, in Ulm, MT. Georgia’s young life criss-crossed this country following her father’s career in the US Border Patrol, but she always said she found “home” when her family settled in Montana as a teenager. She graduated from Havre Central in 1965, and briefly attended Northern Montana College, but eventually landed at MSU to study nursing. While in college, she enlisted in the US Army to pay for school, a decision that sent her halfway around the world to Vietnam. She served her country as an ICU nurse at the 93rd Evac Hospital. She offered few details over the years of her service there, but it was a pivotal point in her career.

After returning home she wore many hats other than a nurse, her favorite, by far, was that of mother. In 1973, her first son, Geon, was born. Her daughter, Katie, joined the family in 1974. And in 1984, her son, Matt arrived on the scene. Georgia met and married the love of her life, Leroy Marion in Butte, MT. They spent the next 30 some years on one adventure after another. Most of these were bumping along some old dusty backroad in Montana with their loyal pups (Duke, Bemo, Rudy) riding close beside them. While they also did trips to Mexico and Hawaii, mom was always happiest here in the Big Sky Country. The only thing that could make her happier than adventuring with Roy, was spending time with her grandchildren. Mom LOVED being a grandma, so much so she picked out her “name” before the first one arrived. From that day forward she was known to most of the family as “Grandma Goose”. Brand, Jack, Kellen, Amelia, Noah, Elijah, Hugo, and Hollis were the apple of Grandma Goose’s eye, and she couldn’t wait to spoil them the minute they came through her door.

Georgia was a gracious, sweet, and gentle soul, but she also was stubborn, determined, and full of conviction. She was generous to the impoverished and underserved. She taught all of us to judge a person more on their character than their charisma or flash.

Georgia was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Patricia Irvine; sister, Marva Jane Irvine; and grandson, Owen Sage Downing.

She is survived by her loving husband, Leroy Marion of Ulm, MT; her three children, Geon (Bernadette) Downing of New Albany, IN, Katie (Matt) Gibson of Missoula, MT, and Matt Castner of Helena, MT; three sisters, Gail (Steve) Stillar, Susan (Larry) Steinhauer, and Kelley Irvine; multiple nieces and nephews; and 8 of the best grandchildren ever.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store and Food Bank in Great Falls (www.svdpgfncmt.org/give).

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 11:45 a.m. at O’Connor Funeral Home in Great Falls, MT. Burial will immediately follow services at Hillside Cemetery in Cascade, MT.