Marliss Santos

RONAN — Marliss Santos, 67, died Sunday, Dec. 17, 2006, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.

She was born May 9, 1939, at St. Ignatius, the eldest of nine children. She attended schools in Arlee, Dixon, Hot Springs and St. Ignatius.

In 1956 she married Joseph Santos in the St. Ignatius Catholic Church, a fact that she was very proud of. She worked as a community health representative until her move to Washington State. Her travels took her throughout the state of Washington and Northern California. Upon her return to Montana, she worked on the planer at the Post & Pole Yard in Dixon and then again as a community health representative until her retirement in 2001.

Marliss was preceded in death by her parents, Carmelita and Alexander McDonald; two brothers, Gerald and Thomas McDonald, sister Sharon Christianson, and son Dale Louis.

She is survived by her husband, Joseph Santos, Sr. and Buddy of the family home; daughters, Brenda McCrea, Betty (Alec) Quequesah, Cindy Santos, Linda (David) Altamirano, Dawn (Joseph) Lilley, Patricia Gardipe and son Joseph (Mali) Santos, Jr., all of Ronan; her brothers, Dennis (Pauline) McDonald of Crow Agency, Robert McDonald of Arizona, Terry McDonald of St. Ignatius; sisters. Eula Jean (Stan) Bluff of Washington, Patricia (Ralph) Johnson of Arizona; 14 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, god children, many very close cousins and extended family.

Mass was celebrated Dec. 20 in the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission. Interment was in the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery.

The family asks that donations be made to the Arlee Celebration Committee in her memory.