On April 17th, 2024, our beloved firecracker of a Mother, Grandmother, Gigi, Sister, Auntie, Animal-lover, and Friend to all was given her angel wings.  The Lord embraced Patricia "Patsy" Jean Murray's hand and together they waltzed into heaven. Patsy was born on June 2nd, 1942, to Thomas and Vincentine (Monohan) Murray, the fourth of five children. Patsy attended St. Mary's grade school and graduated from Butte High School in 1960. Patsy was an adventurer and hoped to set the world on fire so her and a best friend, JoAnn McCarthy, headed to San Francisco, California.  While taking up residence in the bay area, Patsy immediately found employment as a teller in the National Bank of California.

Ironically, being some 1032 miles away from home, Patsy was reintroduced to Vern Kingston, a friend of her brother Tommy Murray and a Butte boy to boot. Patsy and Vern married in1963 returning to Butte. Patsy and Vern had four children Kim, Vern, Kelley and Tom; they divorced after 22 years but remained friends thanks to all the family functions!

Patsy worked as a teller for Metals Bank while juggling a family and supporting Vern through his optical training, packing up the family spending a year in Fargo, North Dakota and a year in Missoula, MT.  In 1970, Patsy and Vern ventured into the American dream of becoming business owners and opened Big Sky Optical in uptown Butte.  Patsy devoted her time between family, Big Sky Optical, and volunteering for the Butte Community.  After her divorce, she worked for the Montana Power Company (Accounting) until she ventured to Las Vegas to be closer to her oldest sibling Margie Reed and family working as a hostess for the Las Vegas Country Club.  After retiring for the second time, Patsy moved to Spokane, WA, then Libby, MT and finally landing back in Butte for the past 3 years.

Patsy was also a natural athlete playing women's softball and bowling throughout her adult life.  One of her highlights was qualifying to bowl in the Women's National Bowling tournament in 1982 in Las Vegas winning back her entry fee and a wee bit of gambling money.

Patsy along with her dear friend, Sue McGrath, coached one of the first girls' softball teams in the Northwest Little League.   Thanks to parents like Patsy and Sue, Butte girls finally got to play ball! Patsy passionately taught catechism classes to young children sharing her faith and teaching children how to talk and listen to God.  Patsy and some of her friends loved to crochet, drink coffee, discuss faith, and socialize thus the "Happy Hookers" club was born crocheting many beautiful blankets, dolls, hats, mittens, and doilies donating many of those items to people in need. For many years Patsy was an active member for the Butte Soroptimist Club which empowered women to help other women.  During retirement years and most recently, she volunteered for the Foster Grandparents programs in Spokane, WA, Libby, MT and most recently Hillcrest Elementary School, Butte, MT.  She was able to connect with children when others may have struggled. Patsy was a volunteer extraordinaire who put the "work" in "teamwork" and the "fun" in "fundraising"! Servitude should have been Patsy's middle name, she was at her very best when serving others, especially her family, friends, a stranger, and community!

Patsy loved playing games!  Pinochle, 21, cribbage, and 31 were some of her favorites and of course let's not forget a good game of poker, especially with her grandchildren hoping to take their money and anyone else non-the-wise!

Among deepening faith, traveling, volunteering, reading, and "gaming", family was the cornerstone of Patsy's existence.  She was the architect of the family tapestry creatively weaving joy, laughter, love, and forgiveness into a one-of-a-kind fabric.  With unwavering grace and humility, she wove together the threads of life with steadfast commitment, embodying the essence of selflessness and humility.  Patsy's legacy will be a testament to the transformative power of her love and devotion for generations to come.

Patsy was preceded in death by her parents, Stepmother Margaret (Breyer) Murray, sisters Margie Reed and Connie Centoni, brother Billy Murray, Brother-in-law Fred Reed, and son-in-law Brian "Bruno" Schilling.

She is survived by her children, Kim Kingston and Clay Surina, Vern and Lisa Kingston, Kelley and Tom Cobb, and Tom and Jackie Kingston, her  grandchildren and spouses, Brice Schilling (Cheyenne Randolph), Blake and Brianna Schilling, Braydon and Britney Schilling, Burton and Megan Schilling, Connell and Michaela Coffing, Colton Coffing, Wyatt and Paige Kingston, Michael and January Ogrin, Ellie, Erica and Carson Kingston, her greatest treasures great grandchildren Kyzer, Keslyr, Watson, Gus, Luxson, and Lucas Schilling and Murray Ogrin, Brother Tom Murray, numerous nephews, nieces, and friends especially Sue McGrath.

As we celebrate Patricia Jean Murray's life, let us never forget the deep impact she had on her family, friends, community and the world for her love knew no bounds.

In keeping with Patsy's wishes, cremation has taken place.  Liturgy of the resurrection will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at St. Patrick's Church, Butte, with a reception to follow at the Mc Queen Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Chelsea Baily Animal Shelter or donor's choice.