Louise (Terri) Marion (Downing) Parker

Louise Parker passed away last fall, September 29th, 2020, after several years of complications from a lifelong anemic condition.  She was born and raised in Hamilton, daughter of John and Katherine Downing.  She and her brother, Don grew up on the family ranch, enjoying horses, the fields, trips to the river, and lots of animal companions. After graduation from Hamilton High, she enrolled at Western Montana College in Dillion and then finished her teaching degree in Minnesota. She soon returned to Montana; where she met her soon to be husband of 60 years, Marvin Parker. Louise and Marvin were married in Hamilton on August 20, 1960.  A lifelong seamstress, Louise made her wedding dress and continued her passion for sewing making clothes for herself and family throughout her life.

Now a military family, their first stop was Camp Pendleton, California, near sunny San Diego, where their oldest son, Blaine, was born in a military hospital. The next stop was Nevada; where their 2nd son, Bret was born.  Soon afterwards they reported to the nation’s capital in Washington D.C.  After several years it was back across the countray to Hamilton to live at the ranch with her parents and young sons, while Marvin was in South Vietnam.  The life of a military wife is not a picnic sometimes, particularly in times of war, but Louise was a great mother and often a father, while Marvin was away on duty.  Before long it was back to California and then a few years later, Hawaii.

Louise loved Hawaii! The warm sunny climate, wonderful friends, and delicious food.  She was always eager to try new things, whether it was a local Hawaiian cuisine, visiting museums or growing tropical fruits near the house on the base.  Marvin had an oversees tour during their final year on the islands. They moved to California for the 3rd time prior to Marvin’s retirement from the Marine Corps, then it was back home to the Bitterroot.

Home at last, she immersed herself in her flowers and the garden, spoiling her cats, and wildlife (if it didn’t eat the flowers!). She was an eager volunteer and spent time and energy with the First Presbyterian Church, the Beta Sigma Phi sorority, Hamilton Public Library, League of Women Voters, and numerous other worthwhile organizations. The church benefitted for decades from her cooking talents, making many a pot of soup and thousands of cookies for church events.  She also helped her older friends by taking them shopping or to Dr. appts in Missoula.  Louise kept the tradition of home food preservation alive and well every year, by making crock pickles, chow-chow, her mother Katherine’s “Hot Stuff”, crock preserved sauerkraut, jams, jellies and so many treats all made with love.   Hikes in the mountains, picnics at Blodgett Creek campground, and picking huckleberries up Lost Horse were also were special to her.

She loved the Ravalli County Fair and entered fruits, vegetables, baked goods, preserves, hand sewn and hand knitted items.  Over the years her collection of prize-winning ribbons grew to over 100, including a few Best of Shows.  Louise’s health gradually declined due to her anemic condition, despite the best efforts of doctors and staff at St. Patrick’s hospital. Her last several years were made possible via numerous transfusions of whole blood from many anonymous donors through the Red Cross; it was and is the gift of LIFE.   Louise is survived by her husband, sons, her daughters in law, Carolyn Parker and Leslie Parker, grandchildren Zachery, Ethan, and Lacey Parker, and her younger brother Don Downing.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Hamilton on August 28th at 1pm.   Gifts and remembrances can be made to the Hamilton Public Library and Beta Sigma Phi scholarship fund.