Ruth C. Harvey

Ruth C. “Mickie” Harvey of Butte passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 8, 2019. Mickie was born on October 16, 1922 to George and Barbara Sulzbach in Buffalo, NY and attended gradeand high schools in the Buffalo area. She also attended the Jean Summers Business College as well as the University of Buffalo. Since World War II was in full stride she obtained a position at Curtis Wright Corporation, manufacturers of the P-40 Warhawk and C-46 Commando airplanes. After 1 year, she was transferredto Camp Curtis Army base near Buffalo to train Air Corps personnel on the maintenance procedures associated with the aforementioned aircraft. This is where Mickie met Lt. John F. “Jack” Harvey, a Butte native and one of her students. Following a short, whirlwind courtship they were married in Georgia in Ft. Benning’s Base Chapelon February 23, 1945. After 5 months, Jack was deployed to the Philippines, where he spent the next 13 months. Mickie moved back to Buffalo, NY and lived with her parents until her husband returned from his deployment. Upon Jack’s return and a short stay in Buffalo, they relocated to Butte, MT where he accepted employment with the Anaconda Company as a Mining Engineer. As with the times, Mickie was a wonderful homemaker and mother to her three children (John, Janice and Gayle). In January 1972, Mickie relocated to Tucson, AZ due to Jack’s job and then to Denver, CO in 1980, where they resided until Jack retired. In 1985, they moved to Polson, MT and “lived the dream” on Flathead Lake until Jack’s passing in February 2009. Mickie then relocated to Big Sky Senior Living in Butte where she happily resided until her death. Mickie enjoyed volunteer work in the hospitals wherever she lived, making clothes for her daughters during their younger early years, reading, and playing bridge throughout her life. She wasinstrumental in the establishment of the Butte Elks Lodges’ Thursday ladies bridge group and was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the A.I.M.E. She also represented the residents of Big Sky on the Board for 3 years. Mickie is survived by her son, John and daughter-in-law, Colleen of Surprise, AZ and grandson, John A. of Littleton, CO; daughter, Janice Gummer of Butte, granddaughter, Deanna Johnson andhusband, Mike and great-grandson, Logan, all of Butte, grandson, Bob McGarry and his wife, Bobbie, great-granddaughters, Arianna and great-great-granddaughter, Rylie, all of Spokane and Brianna of Alameda, CA; daughter, Gayle Harvey of Butte, granddaughter,Jennifer Caplis-McGovern, and great-grandchildren, Sydney, Levi, and Simon of Lolo, MT and granddaughter, Elena Caplis and husband, Brian Gregory and great-grandson, Roam of Missoula, MT. A Celebration of Mickie’s life will be held in the summer of 2020. The date will be announced prior to the services. Memorials can be sent to BSW, Inc. Foundation Program, Easter Seals, Frontier Home Health and Hospice or the charity of your choice.

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Ruth C. Harvey

November 16, 1922 - November 8, 2019