Ruth M. Meech

Ruth Marie Meech, 73, of Shelby, passed away surrounded by her family on May 10, 2019 at Benefis Hospital in Great Falls due to complications from an illness.

Ruth was born on May 28, 1945 in Cardston, AB, Canada, as the middle of seven children to Samuel and Margaret Stewart. Her family settled in the early 50’s on a farm in Oilmont, Montana, where she attended school. This is where Ruth learned her wonderful skills of cooking, cleaning, gardening and the nurturing of others.

Ruth met the love of her life, Bill, in Shelby in 1961 and they were married on September 29, 1962. Shortly after, they moved to North Carolina for Bill’s military service where they met wonderful lifelong friends and learned to love the ocean though neither really knew how to swim. They relocated back to Shelby in 1965 where she was a dedicated wife and loving mother to their three children.

Ruth enjoyed working as a CNA at Marias Medical Center for 21 years before retiring in 2001. With her compassionate personality, this job came naturally to her. She especially loved caring for the new mothers and their babies. After she and Bill both retired, they were able to enjoy going on a variety of trips. Some of the trips were a cruise with her son and his family to the Caribbean, South Carolina, Branson, MO, Texas, 2 different trips to Hawaii, and an adventure with her daughters to Nevada. She and Bill had also just recently returned from their first Snowbird experience in Nevada/Arizona. Ruth enjoyed traveling and visiting family and friends all across the US and Canada.

Ruth was a lovely lady and enjoyed reading, gardening and cooking as well as tending to her flowers and had a small obsession with pulling her weeds. She also loved a good shopping trip and could not quite get over what she was going to do now that both Herbergers and Shopko have closed.

Ruth is survived by her husband, William (Bill) Meech; daughters, Sherri (Faron) Robison of Shelby and Arlene (Shawn) O’Donnell of Kalispell; son, David (Rachel) Meech of Billings; fur baby, Peechy Meechy of Shelby; grandchildren, Chris Robison, Ashley (Jon) Glassing, Jake (Abbie) Robison, Lexi Robison, Caden Michnal, Logan O’Donnell, Kaleb Meech and Hailey Meech; great-grandchildren, Jessi Glassing, Annie Glassing, Kylee Glassing, Rhylan Robison, Rheagan Robison and Kamryn Kinyon; brother, Lynn Stewart; sisters, Cavel Neeley, Barbara Clyde and Beverly Dickson; along with many nieces and nephews that she loved so much.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Samuel and Margaret; infant daughter, Debra Kay; sister, Carol Adams; and brother, Gordon Stewart.

Ruth treasured her family more than anything and was always sharing her many stories. She will be greatly missed.

A public viewing will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2019 from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. at the Asper Funeral Home in Shelby. Service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Shelby on Friday, May 17, 2019 at 11:00 A.M., with graveside burial to follow at the Mountain View Cemetery.