Mary Ann ‘Polly’ Jones Liston, devoted wife, mother and grandmother, died Monday evening, September 13, 2010 surrounded by her children.
She was born December 24, 1925, in Auburn, WA to William Henry Bird Jones and Mary Leonore Curtiss. Her father died when she was young and she and her mother moved back into the family home, creating “too many Mary’s”. She became known as Polly (a British nickname for Mary Ann) in her personal life and Mary in her professional life. Her aunts became sisters and the generations were always lovingly blurred to her children and their cousins. In 1944, Polly met William Liston during her World War II nurses training in Tacoma, WA on a date arranged by their mothers. Three years later they married in Sumner, Washington. Bill and Polly celebrated 56 years together before Bill passed in 2003.
In 1951 Bill and Polly moved to Helena where she served as Operating Room Supervisor at the Fort Harrison Veterans Hospital until her retirement in 1976. Mary was proud to serve all valiant veterans, especially those from the Vietnam era. Antiques and shows, garage sales and grandchildren occupied much of her retirement time. Many fond family memories were made at the Hauser Lake place, especially on the 4th of July.
Humble and compassionate, Polly welcomed many of her children’s friends into their home, often for long stays. Her beauty was also external, as she was crowned the Puyallup Daffodil Princess of 1941. An avid reader, she relied upon talking books in her later years.
Polly was preceded in death by her parents; infant daughter Mary; brother Bud Robertson; and her husband Bill.
Polly is survived by her children and their families: Josh Liston (Florence Michalson) and children Seth and Jacob of Helena; Marla Hammond (Sam) and children Sam, Blake, Michelle, and great-grandson Jaden, all of Portland, OR; and Jed Liston (Jörrun Fallan) and children Chauncey, Bridger, and Katrina Polly of Missoula.
Very special thanks go out to the staffs at St. Peter’s Hospital and The Waterford for the loving care they gave our mother.
A celebration of Polly’s life will be held at 2 p.m. at Retz Funeral Home (Helena) on Friday, September 17, 2010. Visitation begins at noon. Interment will immediately follow the celebration at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery followed by a reception to be announced.
Memorials may be made to the Montana Talking Book Library, PO Box 201800, Helena, MT 59620 or the Fort Harrison Museum Foundation. Arrangements are under the care of Retz Funeral Home. To offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Polly, please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
Share
Bob & Marsha Liston says
Marla, Jed, Josh and family,
We are so sorry for your loss, and feel terrible we didn’t hear about your mom’s passing. I always liked your mom and all the great times we had as kids growing up, when the family was much closer. She will very much be missed. I chuckled, though not surprised, by the Puyllup Princess of ’41. Your mom always had a certain class about her that was intriguing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you and hope to see you ALL soon.
Bob
Janelle Fallan & Ken Dunham says
Polly was always a lot of fun to have around and such a sweetheart.