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Barbara Beth (York) Grilley
Barbara Beth (York) Grilley joined her Lord and Savior Jesus in heaven the morning of Feb. 14, 2018, at the age of 75 in Whitefish, Montana. Barbara was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was born in Plains at her grandfather’s ranch April 21, 1942 to Herbert and Maude (Nelson) York. She was named by her eldest sister, Vivian, and joined David, Stanley, Karis, and Neva at the York farm in Lonepine valley. When in high school the family moved to Columbia Falls, where she graduated high school with the class of 1960.
Barbara was a devoted mother. She wrote in a letter to her sister Vivian, (Jan. 15, 1968) “....I enjoy working but my family needs me more. A paycheck just doesn’t compensate for all the things I was missing plus the fact our kids need a mother and just not a babysitter.”
She sacrificed and worked hard raising her four boys. Through all the trials the boys put in her path, she was steadfast and gave them a safe home and love that has carried forward in the lives of her boys and grandchildren.
Later, after the kids were much older, she worked as a nurse’s aid, starting at Whitefish Hospital and later at the Montana Veterans Home. Afterwards, she worked at CF laundromat/car wash.
Barb enjoyed knitting and crocheting and made blankets, sweaters, etc. for all family members. She enjoyed being outdoors and planting flowers gave her great joy. Many family memories were made huckleberry picking in the mountains. She made delicious jams, jellies and desserts of all kinds after hours of picking berries. She enjoyed playing cards with family and at the senior center in town. Barb bowled in leagues up to the latter part of her life. She loved to read and the challenge of puzzles and games. Walking was a daily part of her life for many years. She competed in running/walking events and inspired her kids to do the same. Many summer trips to Mom’s included running Boogie to the Bank. All her family enjoyed her cooking and always looked forward to holiday dinners at grandmas. Barb and Richard could always be spotted at the Wildcat high school basketball games at home and on the road, often times with extended family as members of teams.
Barbara will be greatly missed. Her smile, laugh, and zest for life was a joy to all who knew her. She was a blessing to her family and friends.
Barb and husband Richard were married May 8, 1998, and attended Canyon Community Church in Coram.
Barbara is preceded in death by her father Herbert and mother Maude York; brothers Stanley and David York; sisters Vivian (Irons), Neva (Westre/Rogers) and grandson Kelly Greenfield.
She is survived by her loving husband Richard Grilley, sons Paul Greenfield of Columbia Falls, Mark Greenfield of Boise, ID, Dana Greenfield (Sandy) of Farmington, UT and Cary Greenfield (Heather) of Billings, MT; step-son Dan (Deb) Grilley; step-daughter Sandy (Tony) McCarter and sister Karis Taylor. Barbara has 11 grandchildren (Kelly, David, Cameron, Kyle, Jessica, RJ, Denton, Garrett, Caleb, Tanner and Abigail Greenfield); great grand children (Liliana, Isabel, Covey, Raina, Kayden Greenfield); and many nieces and nephews, all loved dearly.
Services were held on Feb. 17, 2018 at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. A reception followed at Canyon Community Church in Coram. The urn burial will be planned for a later date at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls.