Rosemary Hyams

Rosemary Hyams passed away on June 18, 2017 in her home surrounded by her family. Rosemary was born August 5, 1923 in Hanover, Montana, a small mining camp 10 miles north of Lewistown, in a tar paper shack along Big Spring Creek. She was the middle child of three children born to Rose (Anderson) McCoy and James A. McCoy. Rosemary was raised during the Great Depression and it had a lifelong impact in her beautiful qualities of simplicity, economy, authenticity, and a huge dose of common sense. Rosemary could stretch a dollar further than anyone we have ever known. When her older sister Madalyn and younger brother Andy went off to war in WWII, her folks would not let her join up, preferring that she go to college. She attended the University of Great Falls and eventually achieved a Master of Fine Arts Education from the University of California. Teaching became a lifelong passion that started in a one room schoolhouse in Glengarry, Montana and continued through teaching positions in Lewistown, Belt, Fort Benton, Anchorage, Alaska, Maracaibo, Venezuela, and 20 years in Billings Catholic Schools. There are many memorable stories from those experiences that we will always cherish. While teaching in Venezuela, Rosemary met the love of her life in David N. L. Hyams of London, England, who was working in Venezuela as an engineer for Royal Dutch Shell Petroleum. They were married in Maracaibo on December 26, 1955. Together, Rosemary and David raised four children with many stops along the way including Venezuela, Montana, Oregon, California, Indiana, Belgium, Chile, and Ohio. Tragically, David died suddenly on April 19, 1972, while on a business trip to Guadalajara, Mexico. Rosemary was left to raise a young family, not to be deterred, she overcame grief and fear as she instilled important values in her children that they will always remember. After her husband David's death, the family moved to Billings to be close to family and her roots. She found joy and reinvigoration in teaching again and became somewhat of an institution at Holy Rosary and St. Francis Elementary Schools in Billings. She loved to read stories, work on art projects, and sharing her enthusiasm for learning while providing steady and nurturing discipline. Many former students have cited Rosemary's love of teaching as one of the major influences in their young educational lives. Her long retirement was spent pursuing art interests in watercolor, arts & crafts, doll making and collecting. She spent many happy days with her doll club members sharing stories and many fond memories. She proudly followed and celebrated the achievements of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family. She is preceded in death by her husband and parents, sister Madalyn Capser, brother James (Andy) McCoy, son-in-law John Madden, and granddaughter Laura Madden. She is survived by her son David of Billings and his children Kimberley, Brieana, and MacKenzie, daughter Elizabeth Madden of Billings and her children Anne and John, son Andrew and Janet of Billings and their children Aaron, Margaret, and Ellen, and son Paul and Melinda of Tulsa, Oklahoma and their children Sky, Taylor, and Alex as well as many nieces, nephews, and great grandchildren. A quote from Rosemary's children; “We love you Mom and will miss you always! You have been the greatest teacher we will ever know.” Rosary at 5:30pm with Vigil to follow at 6:00pm Thursday at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Memorial Mass will be 10am Friday at St. Pius Church. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Billings Catholic Schools Foundation or a charity of your choice.