Ann Archibald Hayes

POLSON — Ann Archibald Hayes, 78, died in her sleep at home in Evaro, just as she desired, on Saturday, June 30, 2007.

With the loving caregiving of Bob, her husband of 57 years, she fought a valiant battle with Alzheimer's. That she was successful for so long is testament to her strength and no surprise to those who knew her.

Ann had just turned 21 in 1950 when she and Bob drove their '49 Chevy to Montana from Vermont where they were married April Fool's day. Her son Tom was born that first year while she helped Bob through Forestry school at UM. Andy and Suzanne followed as Ann found new friends and support and a way to live on the GI Bill.

Her upbringing, mostly in depression era Vermont, prepared her well for raising a family on a shoestring. They spent time in a cabin with no water or electricity but eventually settled in the Rattlesnake Valley where Ann renewed her love of horses. Ann left her first horse at Lake Rescue, Vt., where she had spent the happiest years of her life, which included two years at Dana Hall Academy before attending the University of Vermont.

She taught her kids to ride and happily watched them playing "cowboys and Indians" with the other neighborhood children. This self-sufficient lifestyle set the Hayes children on the path to successful lives of their own.

Ann was an early member of the Rattlesnake Rough Riders, who played prominent roles in parades and horse shows in Missoula during the '50s and '60s.

She took her Vermont Morgan horses on endurance trail rides as that sport developed in the late '60s. Ann's second home on Flathead Lake is chockfull of trophies and memorabilia from those events. Her lake home will continue to be a commemorative to horse riding and the many yard sales she and her best friend Marcheta attended so often. On several occasions she rode with various broken bones until her horse rolled over her on a ride and broke ribs, clavicle and an arm. Nevertheless, in casts and ace bandages, Ann flew to Spain to watch Suzanne compete in the world championships in endurance horse riding in 1992. From that point on she switched to running on her own power, competing in races up to 18 miles.

While engaged in all these activities and nurturing her three children, Ann trained and worked as a licensed practical nurse and later as an elementary school teacher at DeSmet School and then the Evaro Log Cabin Pre-school. Having moved to a larger ranch in Evaro in 1963, Ann gave a leg-up and an educational headstart to most of this small rural community's children for over 10 years.

Her chosen professions epitomize Ann's unabashed love for people, especially small children. She was never too shy to talk to total strangers and their kids. She was a well-known age-group competitor on the race-walking circuit.

Ann's motto, "to finish is to win," stood her in good stead especially as she completed the Bighorn 18-mile Trail run many times, most recently in 2006.

As Tom awaited her appearance after a very rocky five mile descent into the Tongue River canyon he heard there was an elderly couple bleeding and unlikely to make it out of the canyon. He rushed up with water and first aid only to find Ann and Bob, hand-in-hand, walking jauntily down the trail despite multiple trail wounds and make-shift bandages. Ann literally danced in the aid station insisting on finishing the final five miles. The standing ovation she received at the finish pales at what she deserves for her final battle this past year with huge assistance from husband Bob and son Andy.

Her love for kids and animals (including, much to her family's chagrin, snakes) and her devotion to her husband and children will always be remembered.

She is survived by her husband Bob; children Tom (Bozeman), Andy (Evaro), Suzanne (Ovando) and their spouses Liz, Jules and Mark as well as brother Sandy and his mother Adelaide Archibald in New York; sisters-in-law Anne Archibald in Rhode Island, Sharon Griffen in Whitefish; step-brother Chris Pinkham in Massachusetts; and her only "grandchildren" Cairn Terriers Toni and Jack.

There will be a Celebration of Life Ceremony at the Polson Community Church, 1814 1st St. E. in Polson at 2 p.m., Friday, July 6.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Missoula.

Willard Adamson Maughan

Willard Adamson Maughan

POLSON — Willard Adamson Maughan, 88, beloved husband of Helen P. Maughan, died on Saturday June 30, 2007, in Polson.

Willard was born Sept. 2, 1918, at Cardston, Alta., Canada, the 11th child of Hyrum and Eliza Maughan. He spent the early years of his life in Cardston area, and then moved with his family to Browning. It was there that he learned to work.

The family then settled in the Round Butte area. In 1945 he joined the army and spent the next year in Korea.

He married Helen Peterson in Coeur d' Alene on Sept. 2, 1958. Over the years he and Helen lived in many places finally settling permanently in Polson. He spent his life serving his church, his family and his community.

He is survived by his loving wife Helen; his three children, Ben (Melodie) Maughan of Ronan, Patricia (Derrell) Peel of Stillwater, Okla., George (LeeAnn) Maughan of Polson; his grandchildren, Shaleena, McKenzie and Stephanie Maughan, Travis, Cody and Tegan Peel, Peter Maughan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

His parents and all of his brothers and sisters preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be Friday July 6, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Polson at 10:30 a.m. with Jim Nethercott officiating. Family and friends will meet in the Relief Society Room from 9 to 10:15 a.m. prior to the service. Interment with military honors will follow in the Lakeview Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Grogan Funeral Home.