Margaret Moore

Margaret Sterling Moore, 62, passed away Nov. 12, 2006.

She was born March 30, 1946, to an Episcopal bishop, Chandler Winfield Sterling, and his wife Catherine. The family moved to Helena when Margie was in the fifth grade, where she met Jim Moore, the son of Helena's first pediatrician, in what was to become a 49-year relationship.

Margie graduated from Helena High School in 1964 and then the University of Montana in Missoula, where she became the first member of her family to obtain a college degree. As a Missoula school- teacher, she married her high school sweetheart on Nov. 2, 1970, and the couple moved to Whitefish, in 1972, where their first child, Sarah, was born.

The couple then moved to Kalispell, where their second daughter, Meghan, was born in 1974, and their third daughter, Katie, was born in 1975. Margie was above all a loving and nurturing mother.

In 1987, Margie returned to the University of Montana and earned a master's degree in counseling and psychology. Thereafter, she accepted a position with School District 5 as a school psychologist and counselor for Hedges Elementary School. There, she touched the lives of all around her — listening to, inspiring and empowering children to believe in themselves.

Margie made people better. She cared for her friends and made people laugh. She created strength in those around her. She loved life and lived fearlessly, whether she was rollerblading down the steep slopes of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, cliff-jumping into the Flathead River or white-water rafting with friends. Most of all, she loved the ocean and the sunshine, and it was there she eventually found comfort during her battle against ovarian cancer, which she was diagnosed with in December 1996.

In 2002, Margie relocated to Florida, where she lived with her middle daughter Meghan and son-in-law Rick and continued treatment. She continued life too — swimming in the ocean, walking the sandy beaches, collecting seashells and making memories with her friends and family.

She is survived by her soul mate Jim Moore; her daughters Sarah, Meghan and Kate Moore; her son-in-law Rick Ferry; her mother Catherine Sterling; her siblings Mary, Kathy, Ann, Beth, Sarah, Julie and Jon; and a host of special friends.

At her request, her remains will become part of an eternal reef where ocean life can grow and flourish. That is just the kind of person she was — living and giving fully in any way she could.