Mary Call

Mary L. Call, 74, passed away Sunday, March 1, 2009,  at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M., due to complications of pancreatitis. 

Mary was born in Albany, Minn., Aug. 16, 1934, the youngest of seven children (as her twin brother  never let her forget). She grew up in Albany, and later attended college at St.

Catherine’s University in Minneapolis, graduating with a degree in sociology. She met Richard (Dick) Call and they were married at St. Kevin’s Catholic Church in Minneapolis in 1959. They moved to northern Idaho where Dick began his career with the U.S. Forest Service. They lived in Orofino, Bonners Ferry and other small towns in northern Idaho where their five children were born. In 1978, Dick’s career took them to Columbia Falls for seven years, then to Helena until retirement. Mary and Dick then lived in Twin Lakes, Idaho, before moving back to Columbia Falls in 2003. For most of their retirement, they have been “snowbirds,” living six months a year in the Phoenix area, and six months in Columbia Falls. 

Mary enjoyed life to the fullest. She loved hiking and drives in Glacier Park, picking huckleberries and swimming. Her greatest joy, however, were times spent with her children and grandchildren.

She enjoyed family gatherings and preparing large family meals. She loved playing games with her grandkids.

Mary is survived by her husband, Dick, as well as her children and their families: Celie and Ray Aylesworth and sons Mack, Josh and Daniel of Ronan; Rich and Ana Call and their children Michael, Mathew and Alex of Albuquerque; Chuck and Tina Call and their sons Jon, Nic and Evan of Albuquerque; Dave and Beth Call and their daughters Abby and Katie of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Pat and Tanya Call and their son Luke of Helena. She also leaves behind her twin brother, Fr. Paul Mahowald, sister Dorothy Quirk, and brothers Ted, Mark and Tony Mahowald and their families, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by her sister, Margaret Dunbar.

A vigil service will be Friday, March 6 at Columbia Funeral Home in Columbia Falls at 7:30 p.m. The mass of Christian burial will be at St. Richard’s Catholic Church on Saturday, March 7, at 10:30 a.m.