Anne Elich
December 28, 1925 - October 02, 2012
Obituary
Anne Olga Elich died on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at the age of 86 years of age at Laurel Health and Rehabilitation Center in Laurel, MT. She was born a first generation Croat to Antone and Mary Elich December 29, 1925 on the family farm in Roundup, MT. During high school Anne worked for the OPI and graduated from Roundup High School in 1941. She then began her career working for the FBI as a secretary, beginning in Butte then New York, NY and eventually was transferred to Puerto Rico where many of her fondest memories will remain. She returned home and even as a young woman she had stared at the hills and knew it was her destiny. She later went to work for the state as a secretary for the welfare department in 1971, retiring in the 1980s. Anne was a great gardener and we harvested many summer gardens. She was also an excellent cook preparing dishes from the old country, you never left the house on an empty stomach. Mom was a voracious reader, enjoying true crime stories and biographies and such. She was extremely stylish and was from the shoe, hat and gloves era and I don't think we will ever forget her trademark bun. She thoroughly anticipated dressing up for her bridge parties with the ladies. If the lights were on in the wee hours of the morning on the farm you can bet that Anne and her sister Mimi and her girls were playing Pinochle, going set, and laughing until we cried over heated betting wars to shooting the moon. Mom had quite a repertoire of jokes rolled up her sleeve as well. She enjoyed going to the fiddler's conventions, horse racing, listening and dancing to country music. Anne is preceded in death by her parents; siblings: John, Nick, Tony and Emil Elich and sister Mary Pat Haskell and her niece Peggy Schaffer. She is survived by her daughters: Patricia Anne Elich of Billings, Kyle Lee McGuinness of Port Orchard, WA and son-in-law Jeff, Maria Theresa Dahl; her grandchildren, Ivy Maria McGuinness (fiancé, Mark Cornell) of Buffalo, NY, Molly Anne McGuinness of Philadelphia, PA and Patrick Sean McGuinness; nieces Carla and Barbara Ann, nephews Tom (Kathy) and Mike Elich, several cousins Kosovichs' of Billings and Yelichs'of Red Lodge. Anne considered Judge Nathaniel Allen and George Marcinkowski to be like brothers to her. Anne's family would like to thank Dot Hanson and Jeanette Downs for being true and faithful friends as well as Darlene Gebhardt. Anne was cremated and her ashes will be scattered at a private family gathering at a later time. Mom particularly loved Psalm 23 so say a prayer for her, plant a Crocus or Hollyhocks in the spring, sing “Somewhere my Love” or toot your horn when driving passed the Elich farm. To our Ma, Zbogom
Events
There are no events for Anne yet.
Photos
No photos of Anne have been shared yet.
Memories
DD
David Davis
Other •
Anne was fabulous before “fabulous” became common currency. She was beautiful, chic, and delightfully dramatic. In a black and white world, she was Technicolor. Anne’s glamour was especially beguiling to young people who marveled at her stylish wardrobe, as she swept in and out of childhood venues. There was a certain mystery about her, too. Was she a government agent? A female 007? Anne wisely left a lot to our imaginations. Her signature look included a distinctive chignon and perfectly applied makeup. If she were walking down Fifth Avenue today, New York Times photographer Bill Cunningham would be snapping her every step and featuring her in every style section spread. But what made Anne a Montanan original was her warmth, humor and infectious joie de vivre. She lit up the world with a Broadway lights personality. Auntie Mame would have stepped back in admiration. The memory of her hangs in the mind like a star. May her family find comfort in her legacy of love - and the goodwill she lavished on all who knew her.
RA
Roberta Allen
Other •
I was so sad to hear of Ann's passing. She just seemed like the kind of person who would live forever. She was always so full of life and I can still hear her laughter. You always knew it was going to be a great dinner party if Ann was present. I was shocked to hear she grew up in Roundup. I always thought she was from New York or even from Europe because she was such an exotic and fabulous dresser and she always could tell such mesmerizing stories.(Her earrings. I will never forget her amazing earrings.) I still remember all the wonderful dinners she had at her house and the food was always the best. She was so kind and gentle to us little kids and she was also respectful of us as well. My parents often talked about Ann with such warmth. My Dad had a special place in his heart for her, as we all did. When my parents were alive, they would always keep us up to date about Ann and her successful kids. I am so sorry she is gone. She was such a remarkable woman. Roberta Allen