Obituary: Whaley, Constance Ruth
Age 100
WHALEY,
Constance Ruth
(Buchanan)
Constance Ruth Whaley passed away peacefully at the age of 100 years at Brendan House nursing home in Kalispell, Montana on March 31, 2012.
She had lived in the Flathead Valley for over 30 years.
The youngest of six children, Connie was born to Duncan and Nettie Buchanan in Spokane, WA on November 22, 1911.
She grew up in the Indian Canyon area of west Spokane.
Although short in stature, Connie was big on life and full of fun.
She loved animals, gardening and card games.
She was especially fond of dogs and cats, and had many horses during her long life.
She raised and trained horses herself, including Standardbreds, Tennessee Walkers and race horses.
Connie especially loved going on trail rides in the mountains of northern Idaho and western Montana and often led the way - blazing the trail for other riders.
Connie was married twice; to Ralph Sieger of Spokane in her twenties, and after his death to Carlyle (Bud) Whaley in 1966.
Connie and Bud lived in Spokane and later Sandpoint, Idaho until his death in 1982.
Connie was preceded in death by five siblings; Phyllis Lattin, Hugh Buchanan, Wayne Buchanan, Beatrice Duncan, Doris Burns, and her two husbands.
Although she never had children of her own, Connie was a loving aunt to her nieces and nephews throughout their lives.
Her ready smile, infectious laughter and sense of humor will be missed by all who were blessed to know her.
She is survived by three nephews Maurice (and Margaret) Burns of Martin City, MT; Gregory (and Marilyn) Burns of Kalispell, MT; Donald (and Nancy) Burns of Columbia Falls, MT; and nieces Cynthia (and Mark) DeCamp of Martin City, MT and Donna (and Harlan) Thrall of Marlin, WA; as well as numerous grand and great nieces and nephews.
Connie will be inurned at Greenwood Memorial Terrace in Spokane, WA on April 16, 2012 at 9:30 AM.
A celebration of Connie’s life is planned for July 21, 2012, in the Kalispell area.
Memorial donations can be made to Brendan House in Kalispell, MT or to a local animal shelter.