Shirley Ann Groff

With heavy hearts, our family is sad to announce the passing of Shirley Ann Groff of Butte, Montana. She died with her family by her side at the age of 89 after a valiant battle with cancer. Her birth on August 27, 1933 in Dillon, Montana to John and Ida (Hartwig) Hand, made Shirley part of the fourth generation of early day pioneers which included ranchers and miners. Shirley initially attended a one-room school in Argenta, Montana and graduated from Beaverhead County High School in 1952. After giving birth to her four children, Shirley went on to Western Montana College graduating in the spring of 1968 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Education. Then during the summer of 1975 she earned a Master’s of Science in Education. After a 32 year career teaching fifth graders, Shirley retired in 2000, but she never stopped teaching. We all have fond memories and special stories to tell as she continued teaching until the end, handing down to many generations — her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, generations of fifth graders, and all who wanted to learn — her love of nature, the sciences, and history. We all unknowingly became naturalists, scientists, and historians as she consciously observed our curiosity and took advantage of what Christa McAuliffe referred to as “Teachable Moments.” After her retirement she became a world traveler visiting Alaska, sailing the Hudson Bay, Mexico, Greenland, Iceland, Germany, France, Antarctica, Uganda, the Holy Land, and a trip spent with the National Geographic sailing around the horn. Between all her travels she remained active with a number of local, state, and national organizations. One of Shirley’s most significant honors came in 2001 with an appointment by Governor Judy Martz appointing her to the Board of Trustees of the Montana Historical Society. Shirley took great pride in her membership to the Daughters of the American Revolution and rose from all the ranks of the Silver Bow Chapter to become Montana State Regent. In addition, Shirley remained active as a member of the Sons and Daughters of the Montana Pioneers long after she served as President between August 1998 and August 2000. She was the recipient of the Award of Merit for Historical Leadership in 1988 and the recipient of the President’s Award in recognition of her contributions of time and effort in 2003. In addition, Shirley donated countless summer hours in Virginia City working to restore clothing. She was most proud of the contributions she made to the publication of Dreams Across the Divide — Stories of the Montana Pioneers. Her love for plants led her to a membership of the Montana Native Plants Society and donating countless hours to Butte’s Mining Museum, planting and keeping summer flowers happy and beautiful. While there she also worked countless hours in the archives restoring and preserving historical documents for the museum. In addition, Shirley was a proud life member of the Montana Mining Association. Shirley was predeceased by her husband Dr. Sidney L. (Sid) Groff Retired Montana State Geologist, her oldest son, Byron C. Seybold, step sons Wesley “Scotty” Hunt, Joh Groff, and step daughter, Shelby LaDon (Hunt) Sullivan; she was also predeceased by former husbands and fathers to her children Clyde Seybold and Wesley William Hunt. Shirley is survived by her sister, 100 years young Louise Shafer of Dillon Montana; her children Delbert (Kathy) Hunt of Dillon, Montana, Marvin Hunt (Stacy) of Helena, Montana, and Dr. Michelle Hunt Olsen of Springfield, Missouri. Grandchildren Clari Ann Olsen Bahr (Brandon) of Carrollton, Missouri, Nathan Hunt (Sara) of Dillon, Montana and Kayla (Cole) Dorwart of Colorado. Six Great Grandchildren also survive: Emma Lee and Landon Bahr of Missouri, and Dillon, Logan, Layne, and Isla Dorwart of Colorado. Step daughter Billie (Tom) Oliver adds to the family two step grandsons Tim Miller, Steve (Debbie) Miller, as well as two additional step great grandchildren Kelsey and Jacob Miller, who add two Great Great step grandchildren, all are of Columbia Falls, Montana. Funeral services will be conducted at the Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home in Butte, Montana; Monday, October 24, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with burial in the Mountain View Cemetery, Dillon, Montana at 1:00 p.m.

Tributes

Shirley Ann Groff

August 27, 1933 - October 18, 2022