Sheila Ann (Garvey) Drynan, 81, passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2022, at home surrounded by her devoted husband and family. Sheila was born October 26, 1940, in Anaconda, MT, the younger of two children to Thomas Francis and Margaret Cecelia (Murphy) Garvey. She spent her early years living in Anaconda and graduated from Anaconda Central High School in 1958. Sheila attended Carroll College, graduating in 1961 with a Registered Nursing Degree, and in 1963 earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. While at Carroll she met the love of her life, Jim Drynan from Butte, MT. The loving couple were engaged at Christmas Eve Mass in 1963 and married on August 22, 1964. Sheila and Jim welcomed four children, Chrissie, Tom, Mary, and Pat.

Upon graduating from Carroll College in 1961, Sheila spent a year working as a nurse at St. Ann's Hospital in Anaconda before returning to Carroll to earn her BSN degree. Following graduation in 1963, Sheila then spent a year working for Doctors Newman and Grondahl at St. James Hospital in Butte as a laboratory nurse. After Sheila and Jim's wedding in 1964, the couple moved to Chicago, Illinois, where Sheila worked as a nurse at Bethany Methodist Hospital as Jim finished medical school at Loyola University, Stritch School of Medicine. It was during their time in Chicago their oldest child, Chrissie, was born.

In June 1966, Sheila and Jim moved to Denver, Colorado, where Jim continued his medical training at St. Joseph's Hospital. It was during their four years in Denver their middle children were born, Tom and Mary. In 1970 after Jim completed his medical training, he was called to military service with the Medical Corps and assigned to the Air Force. For two years, the couple was stationed at Columbus AFB in Columbus, Mississippi. She truly cherished her time in Denver and Columbus as it afforded her the opportunity to focus on being a full-time Mom.

In 1972, the couple moved to Butte, where Jim began his private practice of medicine in association with Dr. Emmett Murphy. Her full-time Mom status gradually got interrupted as she assumed the roles of part-time nurse and part-time office manager over the next 33 plus years as the nature of Jim's practice changed. During their early years in Butte, their youngest child Pat was born.

As if life wasn't busy enough with the medical practice and active children, Jim converted Sheila from the blue and gold of Anaconda Central to the maroon and white of Butte Central. This led to both of them being instrumental in starting the Butte Central Parents Club which transformed after several years into the Butte Central Catholic Education Foundation. Sheila then went on to serve as the Foundation's first secretary.

When grandchildren came along, Sheila had the name, "Nonnie", bestowed upon her just like her own children had done for their maternal grandmother before her. To Sheila, this was a very special honor.

Sheila was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Ceil Garvey, parents-in-law, Arthur and Elsie Drynan, aunts and uncles, John and Elizabeth Murphy, Mal and Mayme Doran, James and Isabell Garvey, John and Ann Garvey, close relatives Noreen and Dan Bartsch and Mike Bartsch and brother-in-law and sister-in-law John and Rosalie Drynan. She is survived by her devoted husband Jim, daughter Chrissie Harper, son Tom (Heidi) Drynan, daughter Mary Drynan, son Pat (Erin) Drynan, 8 grandchildren, Cole and Emily Harper, Kylie, Tayler, Nick and Noah Drynan, and Jack and Kate Drynan, her brother Jim (Gete) Garvey, brother-in-law, Tom Drynan, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dave and Cathy Drynan, many nieces and nephews; and countless caring extended family and friends.

Sheila was an amazing wife, mom and friend. She will always be remembered as a loving, generous and nurturing lady in the eyes of those who were lucky enough to know her. Heaven certainly gained an angel.

Friends of Sheila may call after 5pm on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, at the Duggan Dolan Mortuary Chapel, where the rosary will be recited at 6pm. Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at St. Ann's Catholic Church at 11am. Burial will follow mass at Holy Cross Cemetery. Following the burial a Luncheon will be held at St. Ann's Church Hall. Memorials in Sheila's name can be made to the Butte Central Catholic Education Foundation or a charity of the donor's choice.