Marjorie Jane (Clifford) Henman

Marjorie Jane (Clifford) Henman

Marjorie Jane (Clifford) Henman, 94, passed away peacefully on Aug. 6, 2021, at home, surrounded by her daughters.

Marjorie was born on June 12, 1927, to Guy and Alma (Foust) Clifford. She had a brother, Guy Clifford, Jr., four years older. Both Marjorie and Guy were raised in the oilfields of Montana and Wyoming.

Marjorie had an Irish great-grandfather who was a sailor and whaler; a grandfather who worked on the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City as it was being built; grandparents who were pioneers of Bridger and had more than a speaking acquaintance with some of the colorful characters there, including Calamity Jane, who lifted a glass of cheer to her grandpa on his 60th wedding anniversary.

She attended three different high schools — Winnett, Bridger and Deaver, Wyoming, where she graduated in 1945. That same year she came to Billings and attended Billings Business College until she got her first job. She met her future husband, Edward Henman, who was part owner of the now-defunct City Drive Inn, located across the street from Lincoln Junior High School at that time. She married Edward in January of 1948. Three daughters came along later: Margene Hall, twins Jane and Janet Henman. Edward worked away from home much of their married life and passed in April of 2007.

From childhood, Marjorie always had a dog she loved and they always became part of the family.

Our mom was an amazing person. Her easygoing personality was warm and inviting. She was witty, had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. That’s why everyone who met her liked her instantly. She was a stay-at-home mom and enjoyed being home. She was always there for us. All the neighborhood and friends growing up loved to come to our house. The coffeepot was always on; the door always open to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee. Even her very last days, she had a death grip on her coffee and would ask if the coffee was on even when you thought she was asleep.

Mom was very intelligent, graduated valedictorian, loved to read and learn. She was a gifted writer and poet. She had two poems published and was writing poems until the last three months of her life. She wrote her last poem on May 21, 2021, after she fell, exhibiting her sense of humor. She had an excellent knowledge of the English language and proper grammar was a must. She always had a dictionary nearby, and loved her crosswords and cryptograms. She had an incredible memory for life events, sayings, songs and stories.

She played the piano, sang and loved to dance and listen to music. She was very particular about the music she listened to. Susan Boyle was her favorite singer, and a highlight of her life was taking her daughters to Arizona in 2014 to attend her concert.

Mom was on a bowling league for years, did some golfing and loved taking her mother to the twins’ softball games. She was very creative and had a woodshop. She built many woodworking projects, among her favorites were her birdhouses. We have many treasures that she made. She learned to use woodworking tools in her high school shop class.

The list of things she enjoyed doing is long. She drew, painted with acrylics, refinished and upholstered furniture. She was a seamstress, loved crafts and needlework, gardening and the great outdoors. She got really good with a container of glue and mended broken items that most people would throw away and brought them back to life.

Mom taught us to be patient and not complain. She instead put her thoughts into her poetry. Her granddaughter, Amanda Fanzone, compiled a book of all her poems. Her granddaughter-in-law, Danielle Hall, wrote a tribute to her, calling her the “Great Grand Master. As the definition implies: a great grand master is as good as it gets. One whose skill set and accomplishments exceed all those that others have set.”

We would like to thank a dear friend of 60-plus years, Marla Lou Sump, who was there for Mom all the way to the end, keeping her laughing and uplifted. We would also like to thank Claudia Reitz, a longtime family friend, for her help and support over the years, as well as Donna Oster for keeping Mom’s sweet tooth well supplied with her cinnamon rolls and goodies.

It has been a privilege and honor to care for our mom in her last few months. She will be greatly missed, but she lives on in our hearts until we meet again.

Marjorie is preceded in death by her parents, Guy and Alma Clifford; husband Edward E. Henman; her brother, Guy Clifford Jr.; infant grandson, Benjamin Hall; son-in-law Charlie Hall.

Marjorie is survived by her three daughters; two grandchildren, Amanda (John) Fanzone, CJ (Danielle) Hall; three great-grandchildren, Payton, Evan and Charlee Grace; one nephew, Larry (Cheri) Clifford of Helena; one niece, Mary Jean Burns of Minneapolis.

Because of her love of poetry, she wanted to end this brief recap of her life with a verse of her own, which she called “The Last Road Taken.”

I never did care much for travel

That’s something that most of you know

But now that my life’s been unraveled

There’s someplace I still have to go.

I’m told this road has no ending

Where it takes me, I really don’t know

But I’m hoping it ends somewhere out there

Somewhere just beyond the rainbow.

Cremation has taken place. There will be a private service.

Memorials can be made to Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter or to the charity of your choice.