Mary Lorraine (Doyle) Richards, 98

March 3, 1922-September 23, 2020

Mary L. Richards passed away peacefully, with her son by her side, on Sept. 23. Mary was born in Butte on March 3, 1922, to Irish immigrants James and Bridget (Dudley) Doyle, the fifth of five children. Her father died when she was 3, leaving her mom to raise the family during The Great Depression, in their three-room homestead, at the 3 Mile. Mary (aka Pet, Tossie, or Spud) attended the Longfellow school and graduated from Butte High.

In 1942, she moved to Seattle to help in the war effort as a true "Rosie the Riveter", at Boeing. After returning from Seattle, she worked 12 years for Skaggs Drug Store where she met Al "the bread man" Richards. They were married July 31, 1956 and had four children.

Her favorite pass time was a daily 4 or 5 mile walk with her dogs along the East Ridge. She developed, and defeated colon cancer at 88 years of age and was back mowing the lawn until she was in her early 90's.

She was a member of St. Ann's Parish for over 60 years. Placed above all was her love and devotion for God and family. She was a true Irish Catholic Butte girl. Mary enjoyed being the host to most holiday family gatherings. She lived at home until April, 2020, when age and dementia finally won out and she moved to the Beehive Homes.

Mary was proceeded in death by husband of 52 years, Al, son James, infant son Paul, sisters: Frances (Sulo) Mykanen, and Lucille (Ed) Smigel, and her brothers: James and Richard.

She is survived by son Al (Cheryl), Rock Springs, WY, daughter Mary Lisa (Mitch) Evans, Hardin, MT, daughter-in-law Rosie Stimatz Richards, grandchildren: Lucy, Molly, Annie, Mathew, Daniel, and Andrew, and great grandchildren: Aleah, Easton, and Laurel, and nephew John McLaughlin, Lovington, NM.

Private services will take place on Monday, September 28, at Saint Ann's Church, followed by internment at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Special thanks for the care from the staff of Highlands Hospice and the Beehive Homes, Butte. Memorials may be made in her name to a charity of the donor's choice.