Ellen Marcure
YUMA, ARIZONA — “No woman can be strong, gentle, pure, and good without the world being better for it, without somebody being helped and comforted by the very existence of that goodness.” -Phillips Brooks
Dearest Mom, we could fill books with the names of people who knew you not only cared, but also cared very deeply.
Our Mother, Ellen Lucille Hilton Marcure, was born the second of nine children to Alfred and Esther (Phillips) Hilton on Jan. 26, 1928, in St. Ignatius. Mom passed away on Jan. 1, 2018, at her winter home in Yuma, Arizona, with her daughters, Jeanine and Teri at her side and family and friends calling and stopping in to share their love. We find comfort in knowing she departed this world enveloped in their warmth and love.
Mom graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1946 and married Alverd ‘Shorty’ Marcure at St. John the Baptist Church in Frenchtown, on Dec. 4, 1949. She farmed side-by-side with Dad as they moved from Frenchtown to Victor to Polson and eventually to Charlo. While farming in Frenchtown they also owned and ran the Frenchtown Grocery while Mom also worked as a postal clerk. She continued in that capacity for many years. Later, Mom and Dad would go on to own and operate the Charlo Grocery for nine years.
When they finally chose to retire, they began spending their winters in Yuma with family and friends and their summers in Charlo, living next door to their son Rick and daughter-in-law Linda, as well as Mom’s beloved cat Emma (who will miss her immensely). She enjoyed her annual luncheons at the senior center in Frenchtown along with volunteering at the Salvation Army and Crossroads Mission in Yuma.
She was a very active, outgoing woman. She could always be found outdoors pulling weeds, gardening, setting sprinklers, feeding animals, and occasionally enjoying a beer. It was at the age of 88 when her scythe was finally hidden from her. She was the hardest worker any of us have ever known and will likely ever know. She was an amazing role model for her family and we will strive daily to continue that legacy.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Shorty on Nov. 7, 2003; her grandson, Brandon Marcure; her parents; as well as siblings, Velma Reidinger, Juanita Hirschi, Al “Sonny” Hilton, Marian Schiable and Margaret Cummings.
Ellen is survived by her children, Jeanine Marcure McCarthy of Helena, Rick (Linda) Marcure of Charlo and Teri (Doug) Fisher of Hood River, Oregon. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Nate (Lisa), Sam (McKenzie), Andrew (Andee), Kristen (Zach), Jeff (Alissa) and Jenna (Andrew); along with great-grandchildren, Aidan, Luke, Livia, Violet, Estelle, Kylie; and two great-grandchildren due to arrive later this year. Also surviving her are her siblings and their spouses, Bill (Diana) Hilton, Carrie (Jim) Sayler and John (Carla) Hilton and many nieces and nephews as well as very dear friends Diane, Betty, Joyce and Betsy.
She was our friend as well as our Mother. She is loved and will never be forgotten.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A family gathering celebrating the life of both Mom and Dad will follow later this summer in Montana. Please visit: www.sunsetvistafuneralhome.com to leave your condolences for the family.
