Evelyn J. McBroom
Evelyn J. McBroom, 90 years young, passed away of natural causes on April 25, 2012 at the rehabilitation center in her beloved town of Polson. Evelyn was born Oct. 29, 1921 in Ansley, Neb., the first of four children born to Roy and Glea Thompson.
Leaving the farm after the devastation of the Dust Bowl, her family arrived in Montana on Easter Sunday in 1936. They built a new home in Post Creek and Mom attended school in St. Ignatius. She played basketball and recalls one of her favorite pastimes was roller skating down Post Creek Hill.
She married Henry Glover in 1940 and they moved to Polson, where she has resided ever since. They had four girls (Diana, Jeanette, Duzzie and Pam) and later divorced. She married Cliff McBroom and Lyle and Rita were born to that union. He passed away in 1962 and she has lived independently in the same place ever since.
Our mother and “Grammie” was the ultimate homemaker — famous for her canned fruit and vegetables, strawberry jam and Flathead cherry jelly. She loved to garden and tended to her vegetables and flowers until her health issues started last year. She was still baking cookies and muffins up until several weeks ago. She was a good seamstress and made alterations using her old Singer treadle sewing machine. She crocheted doilies and afghans for all of us and all our children. She was a meticulous housekeeper and after starting our own families, we realized this was no small feat. Mom was an avid reader since grade school and always kept up on current events, especially politics. She read two or three books a week, many times staying up late at night to finish just one more chapter.
She always acknowledged our birthdays with special cards that were thoughtfully selected — no ordinary cards would do and she always signed them with “Lots of Love.”
Canasta was her favorite card game. She taught all of her kids and her grandchildren how to play, but failed to show us how to win! Later in life, there were “Game Show Wednesdays” when board games like Scrabble and Upwords were played. She was presented with a trophy for her record-breaking word score in Upwords. Living alone for so many years, she always had a jigsaw puzzle on the kitchen table. She liked the most challenging ones. She never learned to drive and enjoyed her regular walks to the grocery store. Her television time was spent watching her favorite sports of tennis and basketball — she loved her ZAGS!
She is survived her six children: Diana Burtch (Harold “Link”), Jeanette Davis (Norm), Duzzie Glover, Pam Schneiter (Jim), Lyle McBroom and Rita Vanorio (Tom). Her legacy continues with 11 grandchildren (Pammy, Peggy, Paula, Kevin, Heather, Ian, Lexy, Andrew, Kelsi, Karee, K.C.) and eight great grandchildren. She is also leaves behind her sister, Darlene Edwards of Austin, Texas and several nieces and nephews.
A private family celebration is being planned to honor her life and her last wishes.
Our mom and “Grammie” left us with a lot of great memories and admiration for a life well lived. We are especially grateful that she was able to keep her sharp mind and quick wit that was the essence of her soul. As she would always say, “Let’s get this show on the road.”