Margaret Angela Holiday, 96, of Libby
Margaret Angela Holiday, 96, longtime Lincoln County Public School nurse, died on Saturday, May 5, 2012, at the Libby Care Center.
Angela was born to Peter and Theresa (Kubinec) Huchala in a farm house near Floweree, Mont., on May 31, 1915.
Shortly after her birth the family moved to Great Falls and then on to Columbia Falls where she attended grade school. The family then moved to Libby, where she attended high school and graduated with the class of 1933.
Angela entered Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Spokane, Wash.
Following her graduation from nursing school, she was employed as a school nurse in Libby, a position she held for 40 years, retiring in 1977.
While working in the Libby schools she organized the Health Careers Club for junior high school students interested in becoming health professionals. She taught first aid and family nursing classes to adults in the community. She also assisted the county health officer in conducting immunization clinics at various schools in the county.
She served as a supervisor of nursing students that came to Libby to study Public Health Nursing.
During her career, Angela received several honors including a lifetime membership in the National Parent Teacher organization; a service award from the TB Association; and was named Libby’s Woman of the Year in 1963.
The Montana Health Association awarded her the Dr. Mary Soules award in 1973 for her work in Public Health in Montana.
In 1977, she was honored at a high school assembly and the yearbook was dedicated to her. On her retirement, the mayor of Libby named that day “Angela Holiday Day”.
Angela was very proud of her profession and was a member of the local, state, and national Nurse’s Associations. For several summers she continued her education at the University of Montana and the University of Washington where she received certification in Public Health Nursing.
After her retirement, she joined the MIA writer’s group and contributed several articles that were published in their books.
On Aug. 1, 1950, she married Edward Holiday, a Libby school teacher. After they both retired they spent many years living at their cabin on Middle Thompson Lake. Angela was an avid ‘fisherman’ and mushroom picker.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward; her sisters Cecelia Luxa, Mary Major, and Elizabeth Rusher; her brother, Peter Gene Huchala; and a niece, Cherisse Luxa.
Survivors include her brother Dr. Thomas Huchala of Seattle, Wash.; her sister-in-law Beverly (Mrs. Peter Huchala) of Seattle, Wash.; nieces and nephews Elizabeth Doxtater of Whitefish, Mont.; Elaine Fisher of Canada; Dr. Elissa Rusher and David Rusher of Calif.; Thomas James Huchala of Seattle, Wash.; and several grand nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 1, 2012, with Rosary at 7 p.m. at the Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home, 422 W. 2nd St., in Libby, Mont.
Mass of the Resurrection will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 2, 2012, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libby with burial to follow at the City of Libby Cemetery.
Memorials in her name may be made to the organization of your choice.