Arlene M. (Murphy) Holland

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our mother, Arlene M. (Murphy) Holland on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 in Butte, Montana. Arlene was born Saturday, February 3, 1934 in Butte, Montana the oldest of three children (Mom, brother Jim and sister Susan) to James M. and Cecelia (Reilly) Murphy. On May 16, 1953 Mom married William “Bill” Holland and together they started their family. Her children, Theresa, Sandra, David and John were the most important part of her life and her love for us was felt every day. She would have moved mountains for us. Arlene attended St. John and St. Joseph Elementary Schools; graduated from Butte High School in 1932 and attended the Butte Business College. Mom started her work history at a very young age scooping ice cream at the Columbia Gardens soda parlor. Moving on as many young people at 15 working in a few place around Butte… Leon and Eddies, The Murry Clinic, a credit union and then starting her administrative experience as the executive secretary at the Hotel Finlen from 1954 to 1967, leaving to begin working at Montana TECH in the Registrar’s Office until her retirement in 1996. During her tenure at TECH Mom too responsibility for the Veterans Administration registration and benefits program. This program assisted veteran students in organizing their G I bill paperwork to attend school…no minor task and one for which she loved the individual interaction with each student. While working at TECH she became friends with two special individuals who were later to be know at the Apple Sisters Gang. Mary Seccomb, Jessie Cavanagh and Mom were the crew. They had a friendship like no other. From making home made tamales to povitica by the pan load at Christmas, these ladies enjoyed everything, singing at TECH events, traveling, friendship as well as life itself… both the good and the bad. Arlene survived her friends but never let their memory fade. She spoke of them often, always with a smile or laugh. They were indeed sisters. Arlene retired from TECH in 1996 after 30 years, waling the hill on Park Street every day, through heavy snow and ice, Arlene got it done. After her retirement, she found herself in need of entertainment, so in her own way... She took on two part-time jobs, one wit Dr. Simms office from 1997 to 2020 and one in 2002 at the Silver Bow Dental Clinic. During COVID it was determined that Mom was a vulnerable staff member and she decided to one again retire in 2021. For Mom the workday was more of a social event. We believe that she loved every day of making lifelong friendships with her co-workers, bosses and clients that she was so grateful to know. In addition to her husband William “Bill” Holland, Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, Cecilia and James Murphyand her brother, James Murphy. She is survived by her children, Theresa and Bob Butala, Sandra Lee Nicholls, David William Holland and John Robert Holland, her grandchildren: Monica (Ryan) McAndrew, Steven (Shauna) Nicholls, Trystan (Alisha) Holland, and Taiya Holland, her great-grandchildren: Alice and Max McAndrew, Cam, Margo and Cy Nicholls, Monroe and Maverick Holland, her sister, Susan Heald and her children, Brian McNelly and Ashley Plesus, her son-in-law, Randy Nicholls, many loved cousins and special friends, Marcia and Bill Lee and Mary Jo and Mitch Mahelovich. We would like to thank everyone for the care and respect that was given in caring for our mom this past month. There again, she made new friends. Per her request, private family services will be conducted.

Tributes

Arlene M. (Murphy) Holland

February 3, 1934 - July 14, 2026