Georgia Ann Steir

Georgia Maroney Steir was born August 23, 1936, to Edward Maroney and Mary Munson in Helena, Montana. She passed away peacefully on March 5, 2023, surrounded by her husband and devoted caregivers.

Georgia attended school in Helena and graduated from Helena High School with a scholarship to Butte School of Mines but chose to stay in Helena. She married Dick Donovan, with whom she had two daughters, Valerie and Pam. The family moved to Great Falls when the girls were young, where they resided “out in the country,” with the opportunity to have horses—and one cow—and experiencing all that is the country life. Georgia worked for the Great Falls School District in Payroll for many years. Dick and Georgia later divorced, and she and the girls moved into town.

It was there that she met and married Jan Steir; rather brave of him to marry a woman with two teenaged girls! When Georgia broke the news to them that she and Jan were marrying, one of their first questions, with fingers crossed, was, “Will you have a baby?” A few years later, their brother, Jon, was a welcome addition to the family. It was great fun for the girls to help take care of him as a baby—and to dress him up in fun and amusing outfits.

Years ago, Georgia, Jan, and Jon moved into their current neighborhood, where their home became a magnet for wonderful neighbors and close friends, not to mention the various pets that knew the way in through the doggy door. All were welcomed with open doors and arms, whether two- or four-legged.

Georgia was smart, kind, creative, fun-loving with a great sense of humor, an awesome cook, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and dear friend and confidant. She was also a whiz at crossword puzzles. Her many talents/hobbies included cooking, canning, sewing, knitting, drawing, quilting, wallpapering, interior design, and singing in the choir at church. She was always eager to share her knowledge, skills, and help. If you were one of the lucky ones, you were also on the receiving end of a quilt, a sweater, or any of the other crafts and goodies made with her hands and heart.

We will miss her terribly. Special thanks to Autumn, Serena, and the other caregivers at Loving Hearts. You took such good care of her, and we are extremely grateful.

Preceding her in death were her parents; brother, Mike; and sister, Billy Lou. She is survived by her children, Valerie Bolitho (Dennis), Pam Donovan, and Jon Steir (Angee); granddaughter, Makayla Medford; grandson, Jesse Steir, and great-grandchildren, Alice and Angel Medford.

There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, April 15, 2023, 10 a.m. at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 2900 9 ^th Avenue South. Interment following at Highland Cemetery, 2010 33 ^rd Avenue South. O’Connor Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Great Falls Animal Shelter, 1010 25th Ave NE, Great Falls, MT  59404; Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center,  900 25th Ave NE, Great Falls, MT  59404; the Salvation Army, greatfalls.salvationarmy.org/great_falls_corps; or a charity of the donor's choice.