Lenore Marie Padilla

Lenore M. Padilla died on Thursday, Sept. 13, after a courageous battle with cancer.  She was born July 5, 1932 in St. Ignatius to Agnes and Harry Brown of Polson. Lenore grew up on Glover Road in Polson.  She spoke of many fond memories of time spent with her grandmother, Eliza Minesinger on Minesinger Trail in Polson.  She attended Pablo Grade School and Ronan High School, during her junior year she transferred to Flandreau Indian School in Flandreau, South Dakota. Lenore married Henry C. Padilla on July 30, 1949.  They made their home on a dairy farm in Ronan, where they lived for the next 24 years to raise four sons and two daughters.  Together they were a wonderful example of true love.  They joyfully celebrated 60 years of marriage surrounded by friends and family in 2009. Lenore was an amazing homemaker and talented seamstress.  She loved to sew clothes for her children and later her grandchildren.  She also loved to knit and crochet.  Each Christmas her children and grandchildren got to pick from a stack of beautiful, handmade blankets in an array of colors. Lenore was a warm and loving person, who upon first impression may have seemed shy or reserved.  For those close to her she was known as sweet and feisty.  She had a gift with children and loved to surround herself with kids both at home and at work. She worked in the Ronan Middle School for quite a few years as a teacher’s aide.  Then she worked for the Headstart program for many years as a teacher’s aid. Lenore is preceded in death by her husband Henry; parents Harry and Agnes Brown; brothers Harry, Melvin and Ronnie Brown; sisters June Conner and Irma Olguin. She is survived by her sisters Dorothy Webster, Laura Decker and Phyllis Lester; her six children Stan Padilla (Carol), Lee Padilla, Terri Johnson (Dennis), Mark Padilla (Margaret), Craig Padilla (Merrie), and Jeanine Padilla, 23 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held Monday, Sept. 24 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ronan.  A reception will follow at the parish hall.  Shrider-Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services assisted with arrangements.assisted with arrangements.