Patricia Jean (O'Connell) Anderson

Patricia Jean O’Connell Anderson, 77, passed away April 4, 2024, at Discovery Care Center in Hamilton, MT.  Born June 5, 1946, in Helena, MT, she was the fourth child and only daughter of Brian D. O’Connell and Hazel Jean (Richardson) O’Connell.

Pat attended Hawthorne Elementary, graduated from Helena High School and received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings, MT. After graduation she worked at St John’s Hospital ICU in Helena MT until it’s closure, accompanying the last remaining patient to St. Peter’s Hospital where she became the director of the Medical/Surgical unit. She also mentored students at the Helena Vo-Tech teaching EMT and nursing. She moved on to become a clinical review nurse, first for APS, Blue Cross and then Montana State Workers’ Compensation.

Pat was a member of Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church. In 1969, she married Episcopal priest, Rev. James O. Anderson and they made their home in Townsend where he ministered to the congregation at St. John’s Episcopal Church.

 A native Montanan, Pat loved Montana and whenever possible spent her days riding horses, gardening, and enjoying country life at the family ranch, Rock Creek Ranch at Wolf Creek, MT. She was a serious proponent for the preservation and protection of Montana lands.

In 1992, after travelling Europe with fellow nurses, Pat returned to open the family home at the ranch in Wolf Creek as a B&B. She was a founding member of the Montana Bed & Breakfast Association working tirelessly to build that industry. “The Bungalow” became a respite for many fly fishermen, family and people who became like family. In this role, she was able to “take care of people at their best vs. their worst.”

For many, Pat will be remembered as a passionate patient advocate, an avid horsewoman, a master in the kitchen, and a welcoming hostess. Pat was fiercely proud of her Montana heritage and the Rock Creek Ranch where she welcomed people as family.

Pat was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Brian and Hazel, brothers Tom, Mike, Rick, her infant daughter, and nephew Brian O’Connell. She is survived by her son Ian Anderson, (Wolf Creek), daughter, Shannon Anderson Trimboli, two grandsons, Brant & Braedan Trimboli, (Boise), adopted daughter Susan Orchard, (Spokane), her special friend of more than 60 years, Reid Willey, (Thompson Falls) and numerous Richardson & O’Connell cousins and many other close friends.

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