Simone Hamaoka

Simone Marie St. Onge Hamaoka, 66, of Troy, died Friday, April 7, 2006.

Simone was born to Irving St.Onge and Clema Fonger St. Onge on Jan. 12, 1940, in Flint, Mich. Early in her childhood, the family moved to McGinnis Meadows. Simone grew up in McGinnis Meadows and graduated from Libby High School in 1958.

After high school, she attended Northern Montana College in Havre and graduated with a bachelor's degree in education. It was at college that she met and married Art Hamaoka, a fellow teacher. The young couple taught in Oregon before moving to Japan. Both their daughters, Hanna and Kimi, were born in Japan.

Simone had the wisdom to enjoy the unique benefits of wherever she happened to be living. In Japan, she earned her black belt in judo, learned the art of Japanese flower arranging and became skilled in cake decorating. When a change of job moved the family to the Philippines, she became an accomplished scuba diver and appreciated fresh abalone, pried out of the shell with a dive knife and eaten between sips of compressed air, while scuba diving at a depth of 30 feet.

In 1984, the family moved to Montana, where Simone was able to return to her passions of hiking, camping and horseback riding. In indulging her passions, Simone made everyone appreciate the blessings of the area in which we live. The Cabinet Mountains Wilderness held a special place in her heart, and was steps away from her door at the family home, "The 40 Acres."

Many backcountry users became familiar with meeting a smiling woman with her companion pack dogs, Niki and Amber, or Kemo and Jack. Simone would always offer coffee by her campfire, and share information and tales of the trail. Special friends learned of many hidden water spots "off trail" for more secluded campsites. Simone will remain a legend of Taylor Peaks and many near and distant trails. Happy trails to you, Simone.

Survivors include her husband Art Hamaoka of Troy; two daughters, Kimi Hamaoka and husband Sinha of Houston, Texas, and Hanna Hamaoka of Missoula; two brothers, Calvin St. Onge and wife Gerry of Libby and Joe St. Onge and wife Trudy of Idaho; three sisters, Sandy Bache and husband Frank of Libby, LeeAnn Watkins of Libby and Linda Stehlik and husband Dick of Yaak; and a grandchild, Priya Sinha of Houston, Texas.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 13, at the Nelson & Vial Funeral Home in Libby. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to to 1 p.m. on Thursday.