Patricia Ann Hurley-Rodgers

PATRICIA ANN HURLEY-RODGERS

Patricia Ann Hurley-Rodgers died on March 16 about noon. She is survived by her daughter Jennifer Hurley and her granddaughter Miriya Hurley-Acevedo of Ravalli, and sisters Barbara Skaggs of Santa Fe, N.M. and Madonna Page of Friday, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents Timothy T. Hurley and Daisy Killgore Hurley, and her very dear friend Richard Eggert of Dixon.

Pat leaves a big hole in the entire community in western Montana. Those who attended Salish Kootenai College in Pablo will always remember her for her very enlightening lectures on the many subjects in which she became an expert. These include wildlife, zoology, geology, herpetology, ecology, conservation, and many others. She would surprise people with her knowledge either in the classroom, when outdoors on field trips, or on one of her favorite pastimes hiking in the mountains surrounding the Flathead Valley. Her educator spirit never stopped teaching and her passion for learning new things continued to the very end. She applied her vast expertise, rigorous scientific mind, and most of all the love for the earth to the cause of ensuring that the lands and the waters of the Flathead Reservation are protected for generations to come.

In lieu of flowers, the family and friends of Pat Hurley would ask that you donate to the Nine Pipe Arts Group or the Polson Aquatic Center in her honor to continue to make the valley a place for everyone to enjoy.

The Salish Kootenai Community College and her family and friends invite everyone to a potluck lunch and Celebration of Life in front of the Robert Depoe III Building on March 30. Lunch will begin at 1 p.m. and continue until all have enjoyed some of your favorite dishes. At approximately 2 p.m. we will begin to share many happy memories about Pat and her contributions to the region. For display please bring any photos, mementos, and lots of stories you have pertaining to her life, career and work.