Mardell "Marie" Conway

Mardell “Marie” Conway passed away at Benefits Hospital in Great Falls Montana on March 10, 2017.

Funeral mass will be held Wednesday, March 15, at 2:00 PM at Little Flower Catholic Church. Burial to follow in Sharp Cemetery.

Mardell was born to father William “Spike” Sharp and mother Stella “Vielle” Sharp on November 10, 1940, they lived on their ranch at Cut Bank Creek.  Stella passed away when Mardell was 4 years old, Spike continued to raise his children alone at ranch. Mardell attended School at Chemawa Indian School in Oregon until 6th grade then attended school at Flandreau Indian School in South Dakota where she graduated in 1957.

Mardell met Kenneth “Ponch” Conway and they got married in 1958 they began their family of 5 sons Kenny, Jim, Brad, Brock and Brendon. They moved to California in 1965 where she was a house wife and Teacher aide. They moved back to Montana 1980 where they owned and operated Napi Bar. In 1988 they moved to Great Falls Montana where Mardell was a cook at Nevada Sam’s while Ponch finished his College Degree. Mardell moved back to Browning in 1993 where she cooked at Browning Bakery for her brother Bill. She retired in early 2000 this is when she began to enjoy raising her grandchildren and enjoying life. Mardell loved to play cards, the casino, outdoor activities like picnics, rides in the mountains and spending time with family. Mardell loved all her family especially her grand kids, nephews, nieces, and numerous other family and friends.

Mardell is preceded in death by her parents, sister Anna May, Brother Bill, son Jim, and beloved husband Ponch. Mardell is survived by her sisters Jewel (Frank) Snell and Wilma “Bubbles” Sharp both of Great Falls, her 4 sons Kenny Conway and Brad Conway both of Browning, Brendon (Kathy) Conway and Brock (Melinda) Conway both of Missoula Montana and Granddaughter Sonjai that she raised as her own daughter and numerous grand kids and great grand kids. Mardell will be sadly missed by all who loved her.