Patricia's Obituary
Patricia Marie “Pattie” McNaught Coolidge passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of January 10, 2024, in her home surrounded by her family. She joined her beloved husband in heaven on what would have been their 71st wedding anniversary.
Pattie was born on September 4, 1933, to Joseph and Mary (Mayme) Dibb McNaught in Great Falls, MT, the youngest of five children. She attended kindergarten at the Ursuline Academy, grammar school at St. Mary’s, and was a member of the first graduating class of Central High School. She then attended college at Marylhurst in Portland for one year.
Pattie met a young man from Sunburst on a street corner in Great Falls and the rest, as they say, was history. She was married to Paul Coolidge on January 10, 1953, and he promptly moved her to Sunburst, MT, where she spent the next 51 years of her life raising a family and helping Paul run an oil company. In 2004, Pattie and Paul moved to Great Falls to be closer to her family. They enjoyed camping with kids and grandkids, especially their annual trips to the Double Arrow property at Seeley Lake and to Neihart, something Pattie continued to enjoy through this past summer. Her legacy continues as the 5th generation continues to camp in the same spot she camped as a child.
Pattie was a loving mother to Hank (1954), Mary Pat (1955), Tim (1958), Dan (1961), and Dianne (1964). She was very proud of her Scotch/ Irish heritage and would dye the milk and mashed potatoes green every St. Patrick’s Day, which she claimed as her “Feast Day.” She was very devout in her Catholic faith and attended mass almost daily up until her passing. She enjoyed her time volunteering with the Girl Scouts, at the Shelby Hospital, and setting up funerals at Holy Spirit Parish.
Pattie was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; parents; and siblings, Elizabeth (Betty) McNaught Rearden, Margaret (Muggs) McNaught Palagi, Helene McNaught Parchen and John McNaught. She is survived by her children, Hank (Jacque) Coolidge and Tim (Billiette) Coolidge of Sunburst, MT, Mary Pat Coolidge (Howard) Maxwell of Cascade, Dan (JoAnne) Coolidge of Red Lodge, MT, and Dianne Coolidge (Bob) Nagy of Billings, MT; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A vigil will be held on Sunday January 14, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church and the funeral liturgy will be celebrated on January 15, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit. Interment will take place at Mount Olivet Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials in Pattie’s name can be made to the Ursuline Academy, Holy Spirit Parish, Tri-County Shriner’s, or any charity of the donor’s choice.
