Mary E Ghee

Mary Elizabeth (Lloyd) Ghee, of Great Falls, passed peacefully on May 2, 2015 from complications associated with renal failure. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 from 5 pm to 6:30 pm at O’Connor Memorial Chapel, 2425 8th Ave North. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at 9:00 am also at OConnor Memorial Chapel with burial to follow at Highland Cemetery. O’Connor Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Mary lived life to the fullest. Once she retired from her position as supervisor of the blood bank in the lab at Benefis (Deaconess when she started) after 25 years of dedicated service, she focused her extraordinary energies on her family, her church (Union Bethel A.M.E.), and her numerous charities. She was elected Grand Worthy Matron in her Eastern Star Grand Chapter, and Commander of the Montana DAV Auxiliary. If there was something that needed to be done, she managed to be involved in it. The Great Falls Rescue Mission, Mercy Home, Childrens Receiving Home, and the Veterans Ride Free program were but a few of the local charities that benefited from her involvement. Born the third child of 13 children to Reverend Eugene Lloyd and his wife Emma, Mary began her journey through life on December 25, 1936 in Russellville, South Carolina. An avid traveler, Mary attended church conferences, DAVA conventions, and Eastern Star-related events. She also traveled around the country and the world to visit her children and her friends. Mary was a Veteran, having served in the USAF; working in the field of aerospace medicine. Since her husband of 56 years was also military, Mary made a home for her family in San Antonio and Abilene, TX and Cheyenne, WY, before they chose to retire from Malmstrom AFB and remain in Great Falls. Mary is survived by her husband, Frank F. Ghee, Jr; daughters Francina (Crickett) Clayton, Genise (Candy) Ghee, Melony Ghee Griffith, and Frankie Valinda Ghee; sisters Doris Pyles and Gwen Robinson; brother William (Percy) Lloyd; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and innumerable sons, daughters, and grandchildren of her heart. Mary was preceded in death by her only son, Howard Ghee, her parents and 9 of her 12 siblings. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to one of the charities listed above, or Peace Hospice House in Great Falls, MT.