Patricia D Schilla

Patricia Diana Daly Schilla, 72, was born May 9, 1941 in Great Falls, MT. She passed away January 9, 2014 with her loving family by her side. Visitation will take place Sunday, January 12, from 10:00 a.m.to 4:00 p.m. and Monday, January 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at O’Connor Funeral Home. A vigil service will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Monday, January 13 at 7:00 p.m. A funeral liturgy will take place at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Tuesday, January 14 at 1:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held in Dupuyer at the Community Hall, Wednesday, January 15 at 11:00 a.m. Patricia was the youngest of seven children born to Julia Martha and Vincent Daly. She was educated in Great Falls, Butte, Missoula and Newport Beach, CA. In 1959 she was united in marriage to William D. Loftus, they later divorced. Pat married John Freer in 1967. Together they operated a successful business until 1989; divorcing in 1991. Pat married again in 1997 to Jack Schilla and divorced in 2006. Pat always worked hard and was an active member of her community. During the many years as an admired business woman, Patricia involved herself in many different committees. She chaired the Great Falls Mapril Clean-Up Committee with the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce from 1986 until 1988. She was on the Board of Directors with the National Association of Women in Construction, later honored and receiving recognition as Company of the Year in 1998. She was the President of the American Legion Auxiliary from 2007-2008. In Valier, she was a member of St. Francis Church and active in her circle. Pat was a very honest and trustworthy person; she was very strong in her faith. Her biggest joy was spending time with her dog (her baby) BG and being close, sharing time with her family. Patricia is survived by her four children, William David Freer, Mark Timothy Freer, Jenice Diana (Mike) Brown, all of Great Falls, and Patti Marie Freer of Billings; step-children, Joanna Oliver and Johnny Freer of Tacoma, WA; sisters, Dorothy Thompson of Rapid City, SD, Martha Holland of Lake Charles, LA, and Mary (Dick) Purnell of Helena; brothers, Bill (Mary Ann) Daly of Canyon Ferry and Henry Daly of Great Falls; seventeen beautiful grandchildren, eleven precious great-grandchildren, and a very large number of nieces and nephews she so dearly loved. Preceding Patricia in death were her parents Vincent and Julia Daly, brother Vincent Daly, first husband William Loftus, second husband John Freer, nephew Earl Morgan, niece Shannon Purnell and great –grandchild Cayden Lee Kriedeman. Patricia had a beautiful heart and would extend it to anyone in need. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker, business woman and friend. She will be greatly missed. She left so many cherished memories for all who loved her. Memorials may be made in her name to Peace Hospice, 1101 26th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405.