Maryellen Hitron

“Be strong and take heart all who hope in the lord.” Psalm 31:24 On July 6th, 2015 Mary Ellen our beloved mother, grandmother, wife and sister joined God in the Communion of Saints. We know this because of her abiding faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. She didn't want to leave us but God had other plans. Mary Ellen was born in Terry, MT on May 15th, 1950 to Burton and Clara Denby. She started her life in a three room home without indoor plumbing with sister Caroline “Wickie” and brothers Billy and Johnny. When Mary Ellen started high school the family moved to a modern three bedroom home. Eastern Montana residents will all remember Denby Gardens and farm. As a teenager Mary Ellen and her siblings would host Watermelon parties that involved injection of certain spirit into the ripe fruit. Though the family moved to Saco her senior year, Terry High School Class of 1968 will always claim Mary Ellen as proud daughter of Terry. She was truly a Montana girl as an adult living in six different cities all over the state. In that time she had three daughters, Rana, Jeani and Megan who along with the Grand Children they gave her were the love of her life. She also made many close friends who remained in contact with her all her life. Since 1985 Mary Ellen's home was Billings. She loved being a mother, grandmother and home maker. She was a non-traditional graduate of Eastern Montana College in 1993. She always said she wasn't cut out for the business world but had a wonderful 17 year career at Wells Fargo Operations Center. In 1989 she met the man who would be her life partner Ken Hitron. He was smitten from their first date when she answered her door in a pearl white brocade jump suite. They married in 1994 and had 21 plus years together. Ken brought his son Kevin into the relationship and Mary Ellen always cared about him and wanted the best for him though he lived in Kentucky with his mother. She was really looking forward to his wedding with Britney in October. I am sure she will be there in spirit. In 2012 her middle daughter Jeani moved back to Billings which was a huge blessing and can only be attributed to God working in all our lives. Jeani and Mary Ellen had many adventures together but none more dramatic than when Mary Ellen got bit by a rattlesnake. Jeani's quick thinking minimized Mary Ellen's pain and suffering. And a week later when another rattler came a calling (we don't know if it was the same one) Jeani ran it over with her car. Mary Ellen's 30 years in Billings was a life full of kids, grand kids, husband, St. Pius X Church and the Cursillo Movement. Her small group reunion sisters were her closest friends. Her faith life was strengthened by these institutions and she participated widely in many activities too numerous to enumerate here. Those who knew her will know what I mean. She was her children's and grandchildren's biggest fan. Her cooking, baking, gardening, shopping and decorating were legendary. Just ask anyone who tasted her homemade spaghetti sauce, red velvet cake with butter cream frosting, apple pie or anything else she made. She always said it was the best thing, “you ever lapped a lip over” and she was right. Or anyone who had the pleasure to view her flower gardens or sample her vegetable garden harvest. Her house was decorated simply but elegantly and always clean. She loved to shop often saying, “when all else fails shop” though she wasn't a big spender. She was a wonderful woman in all ways who will be greatly missed. Mary Ellen is survived by daughter Rana Ann (Randall) Ratcliff, grandchildren Reece, Remingten, Ryland and Reagan, daughter Jeani Marie Link, daughter Megan Elizabeth (Michael) Avila, grandchildren Johnathan, Samantha, Nicholas and Jameson, husband Ken Hitron and his son Kevin and brother Billy and special Aunt Margaret and sister-in law Wendy plus numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Plus the family yellow lab Buddy. Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her father, mother, sister and one brother and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Memorial Service 11:00am Wednesday, at St. Pius X Catholic Church with luncheon to follow. Arrangements are in the care of the staff at Dahl Funeral Chapel.