Sally O’Malley Coffman

Sally passed away at 89 on May 22, 2016, in Billings, where she was born and raised. Her birth on Oct. 10, 1926, was the first child of Virginia Rodes Snidow and Richard John O'Malley, and two siblings followed: Patricia Ann and Thomas Richard.

Sally's early years were spent in the home of her grandparents, the Snidows, who lived at 820 Division St. This beautiful home and the family who dwelled there set a lifetime of love that Sally has never forgotten. It was the favorite of all the homes she lived in and grew in for the first years of her life.

Sally attended Fratt Memorial School, Billings Senior High and St. Catherine's. She was a voracious reader and lover of knowledge, which she passed on to her five children: Barbara, John ,Sara, Mary and Liz. Sally was a founding member of the Billings Studio Theater and appeared in "Harvey" with her dear friend, Hall Diteman.

She sketched and painted, played the piano, wrote poetry and short stories, and was always ready to encourage her children to put on plays, dress-up from her wardrobe, build tents in the living room and make up everything we could imagine.

In 1946, Sally was chosen Western Days Queen with local pharmacist Larry Bennett as King. Her regalia from that time can still be seen in the Western Heritage Center in Downtown Billings.

On July 31, 1947, Sally married Baron Robert Coffman Jr. in the Rectory of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. She had known him since childhood. The wedding reception was held in the Snidow house, and they honeymooned in California.

Sally and "Manny," as his Scottish grandmother called him, had a wonderful life together with their children. They lived in Scottsdale for 10 years, but missed Montana and came home. Here, they built a new home and, over time, welcomed their 19 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

"Manny" passed away on May 4, 1994. We all loved him so much and still think of him every time we are together. Other family members we have lost are Anthony Frederick, son of Tom Frederick; James Frederick, son of Barbara and Dick Frederick; Brooke Cady, daughter of Mary and Mark Cady; and Layla Wilson, daughter of Adam Wilson.

To all of our extended family, we send our love and thanks!

A vigil will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave. A Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 27, at St. Thomas Catholic Church , 2055 Woody Drive. There will be a reception in the lower level of St. Thomas after the Mass and burial at Mountview Cemetery in Billings.