Patricia Ann Brownlee, 78 of Big Timber, MT, left this earthly life on January 3, 2019 surrounded by her husband and family after a 10-year battle with cancer. Pat was born to Evelyn and Leonard Smart, at her aunt and uncle’s house in Big Timber, on March 10, 1940. Shortly after her birth she and her parents moved to Sheridan, WY where her dad worked for a coal company.
Her brother, Gary, was born while they lived in Sheridan. In 1943 her dad was drafted, so the three moved in with… Read More » their grandparents in Park City, MT. Leonard was killed by a sniper in 1945 during WWII when he was on guard duty.
In 1946 her mom married Bob Nunley and over the next several years her siblings, Penney, Kenney, Debbie, and Nancy were born. Pat graduated from SGHS in 1958 and went on to attend Billings Business College. She was working for a bookkeeper in Big Timber when she married her high school sweetheart, Tom Brownlee on October 2, 1960.
Pat moved to the Brownlee Ranch on the Boulder River, where she and Tom raised Hereford cattle, horses, and pigs. In later years she thought it would have been fun to have miniature horses as well, but that never happened. She enjoyed working in her large garden and tending to her flowers.
In 1962, Pat started her family with daughter Cathy being born, Peggy in 1963, and Bill in 1966. She loved being a stay at home mom and ranch wife. Pat and Tom enjoyed following their children’s activities over the years.
Pat was known to make special birthday dinners and treats for her husband, children and grandchildren as often as she could. Over the years Pat was blessed with 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, she loved each and every one of them so very much! Family meant everything to her and she was very proud of her family.
It was also very important to her to always have all her children and grandchildren together every Christmas Day. Pat and Tom were active members of the Timber Trippers Square Dance Club for over 30 years. They loved square dancing and gained many friends as they square danced faithfully every week and traveled around the state occasionally to larger dances.
Pat was a trustee on the Sweet Grass County High School Board and was proud that she was involved when the new high school was built. She was also involved in her church, Cowbelles, Dance Club, and many other activities over the years. After the children left the house, she worked in town part-time at Gabby’s clothing store and Ben Franklin, she enjoyed the connection she had with the customers.
She also cleaned houses for others in the Boulder Valley. Pat was preceded in death by her father, Leonard Smart; step-father, Bob Nunley; mother, Evelyn Nunley; and daughter, Cathy Mack. Survivors include her loving husband Tom, daughter Peggy (Dave) Campbell; son Bill (Rochelle) Brownlee; grandchildren Brandi (Luke) Schweigert, Manu, Myalyn, & Cash; Lacey (Marcus) Dahle, Leah & Quinton; Misty (Ryan) Donnelly Harleigh & Mabel; April (Nathan) Link, Leann & Chalynn; Becca Graham & Hailei; Josh (Kelsey) Graham; Carlie Brownlee; Carter Brownlee.
The family would like to thank the PMC, Dr. Lizotte, and all the wonderful nurses and CNA’s; Hearts and Hands Hospice – Amanda and Jen; Frontier Cancer Center and Dr. Cobb. Along with Pat’s strong will, you all helped give her an extra 10 years, and we greatly appreciate that! Services will be held January 12, 2019 at 1:00 at the First Congregational Church in Big Timber.
Memorials may be made to Hearts & Hands Hospice, Sweet Grass Cancer Alliance, or another local charity of your choice.
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