Barbara Ellen Baxter Fay, 72

Barbara Ellen Baxter Fay passed away Dec. 28, 2018 at age 72. She was born Jan. 3, 1946 in Missoula.

Barbara was raised on the family farm in Hot Springs and attended elementary and high school (1964 graduate) at Hot Springs.

Barbara was married Aug. 1, 1964 to Milo Fay from Ronan. They lived in Polson for several years while raising their two boys, Mike and Robin.

Barbara worked at Western Bee Supply and Jore Corp. while Milo worked at the plywood mill and ran a small engine repair and saw-sharpening shop for many years. They moved to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, where Barbara worked for the city of Dutch Harbor as a secretary. After five years in Alaska, they returned to Polson for a short time and then moved to Liberty, N.Y., where she worked at a home health care business. After a couple years, they moved back to Polson and started Son-of-a-Stitch Monogramming, which they operated for many years.

After Milo's death in 2005, Barbara devoted the rest of her life to being a long-term, live-in caretaker for friends and family who needed her help. Some of the places she relocated to were Mountain Home, Idaho; Simms, Mont.; Port Orchard, Wash.; and Kalispell. She was a very giving person who expected nothing in return. There were countless times she would go without while giving her last dollar to someone else in need.

Barbara was well known for her cooking abilities, but be careful in her kitchen. She could effortlessly cook up a big dinner at a moment's notice and it didn't matter how many guests were coming. She was an expert at baking homemade bread, especially dinner rolls. They were the best and very often requested.

She liked being involved in family reunions, class reunions, etc., and she was “sometimes” accused of taking charge. Barbara had a positive attitude and a determination that wouldn't quit. She could do anything from chopping wood to patching holes in Levis. She was witty, enjoyed having fun and loved teasing the little kids. Barbara also loved playing the harmonica whenever she had an attentive audience.

Although Barbara didn't spare the rod when raising the boys, she was their best friend and confidant, and she was very proud of them and their families.

Barbara was diagnosed with lung cancer in the fall of 2017 and began treatments in Kalispell a couple of months later. After one year, she moved to Cheyenne, Wyo., to be with her son, Robin, and daughter-in-law Natalie until her passing.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Milo Fay; parents Marie and Ira Baxter of Hot Springs; and baby brother Frank Baxter of Hot Springs.

She is survived by a wonderful aunt, Lila Baxter of Simms; three brothers, Daniel (Ruth) Baxter of Stevensville, Samuel Baxter of Spokane Valley, Wash., and George (Maggie) Baxter of Liberty, N.Y.; son Michael Fay of Cottonwood, Ariz. (grandchildren Jacob and Malena); son Robin (Natalie) Fay of Cheyenne, Wyo. (grandchildren Justin and Amanda; great-granddaughters Cheyanne and Harlee); and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Barbara was very special to a lot of people, both family and friends, and she is deeply loved and missed by all.