Helen Buckingham McCourt has gone back to the ranch. Born to Joseph Thomas Buckingham and Lourraine Warren Buckingham on December 4, 1928, Helen was the oldest child.  Joe and Lourraine raised their kids on their ranch near White Sulphur Springs, Montana. Helen's grandparents Martha Davey and William Buckingham and Elmer and Rose Warren were early settlers of Meagher County Montana, land of Crow and Blackfoot First People.

Helen, known to family as "Honey" grew up with younger brothers and sister, Joseph Dwain (Bucko), Bernice Ocean (Niecey) and William James (Cappy)Buckingham.

Helen spent first grade living with her teacher because snow would have otherwise prevented her from getting to school. Helen loved reading and adventure. As the oldest child she was often called into service to help her mother, watching the youngers and assisting as needed at the homebirths Lourraine attended as a midwife. Helen learned to sew, cook and run a household early, after her parents parted ways and she was left in charge of her siblings while they summered at the ranch with Joe. Later her brother Cappy would say he was always happy when Helen cooked because the meals were so good.

Helen enjoyed learning, played sports and cheered in school. She was involved in a terrible motor vehicle accident during high school and like so many of her generation experienced unacknowledged trauma and learned to buck up and move on. Helen's love of life remained palpable throughout her 94 years.

Helen some college before moving to Neihart, Montana to teach elementary school.  That was where she met the red-headed Terence McCourt, another teacher, who eventually mustered up the courage to ask Helen and a friend to go on a scenic drive in his convertible through Central Montana. This led to courtship, marriage and a honeymoon drive in the convertible to California and back.

Helen and Terry started a family with Danny followed by Mike and Kevin at the same time as she welcomed a new stepdad, Floyd Hubenthal, and youngest brother, David.

With the death of Joe Buckingham, Helen and Terry managed the family ranch before it sold, and Terry went back to teaching.  They lived in Neihart a second time where Nancy joined the family.  After Neihart and time in Ryegate, the family landed in Laurel, Helen's last best place, where she maintained an active role in community and church.  Helen taught catechism, sang in the choir, and assisted with teaching Rite of Initiation to those wishing to join the church.  Even after loss of her vision and ability to drive, she delivered communion to neighbors in the nursing home and helped deliver Meals on Wheels in the Laurel area.

Helen worked in local businesses, becoming a familiar friendly face to many. Helen taught people how to sew, she grew and preserved food for her family, she could skin a dead calf to put the hide on a bum calf to fool the mama into nursing. She shot gophers and was known to cross a double yellow to hit one with her car.

Helen was well read, immersing herself in Russian then British history. She played Scrabble and Bridge and Pinochle. She volunteered to judge high school speech and drama meets, wrote short stories about her rural life and was a favorite in her parish for composing personalized eulogies for members of her community.

Helen appreciated her friendships and time with womenfolk over the years through Altar Society, Legion of Mary, Bridge Club, Quilt Club, and Bible study. She treasured time with her best friend, Billie Thornes, driving mountain roads, opening locked gates, digging trees, crystals and telling stories. Helen had countless adventures picking chokecherries, going on quilt trips, road trips with grandkids, cruising in Australia, fishing in Alaska, shopping in Mexico, touring Europe with her dear friend Mary Ellen and taking in opera with her stepfather Floyd. Helen had curiosity and encouraged it in the people she loved.

Helen laughed the hardest when she was with her sister Niecey. Their inside jokes and generational pranks sparked every family gathering. Helen valued family above all. She provided care for her aging mother-in-law while pregnant and raising a toddler. Years later she welcomed her brother Bucko into her home when his illnesses required increased care.

She sometimes fed her grandkids ice cream for breakfast.

Helen's children enjoyed unconditional love. Despite repeatedly having her limits tested, Helen never withdrew the safety net. She was interested and engaged in the lives of her loved ones.

After Terry died too young in 1975, Helen continued in strength and independence. Vision loss didn't prevent Helen from working and playing, travelling to see grandchildren, nieces, nephews, enjoyed weddings, births and reunions. She grieved losses and honored relationships.

Helen celebrated her 90th birthday on her terms. Shortly after, her memory became tricky, and she agreed it was time to make changes. Helen was able to spend several months with Mike and Mandy in North Carolina, then in New Mexico with Kevin and Ana, before landing permanently in Missoula where she spent almost 3 years being cared for, loved and doted on before dying at home on Easter morning, April 9, 2023.  Helen will be interred with Terence in St Anthony Catholic Cemetery in Laurel, MT.

Welcoming Helen back to the ranch are Joe, Lourraine, Bucko, Niecey, Floyd, sister-in-law Betty, brother-in-law Bill, daughters-in-law Tricia and Susan and the ancestors. Left here to remember are Helen's siblings/spouses, Cappy and Verna, David and Gwen, her children and their spouses Dan, Mike and Mandy, Kevin and Ana, Nancy and Gary, and Grandkiddos, Lisa, Jason, Keegan, Margaret, Christopher, Yetta, and Greats Kyle, Bryn, Shayla and Harlow, treasured nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A gathering and graveside service will be held this summer in Laurel June 19 and a celebration of Helen's life will happen in conjunction with family reunion in White Sulphur Springs on August 4.

Helen's family extend gratitude to Nurse Bridget and Carer Jules and colleagues at Partners Hospice for consistent and understanding care. Their incredible responsiveness allowed us to enjoy more time with this amazing human.  We are also forever grateful to her dear friends in Laurel who supported her independence until she left Laurel.

If desired, donations in Helen's name are encouraged to the Food Bank closest to you.