Matthew Edwin Valentine, 37

Matthew Edwin Valentine, 37, died peacefully in his sleep at home in Troy on Jan. 4, 2021. He was born Sept. 20, 1983, in Snohomish, Wash., but spent most of his life in northwest Montana.

As he grew up, he came to be generally known as “Matt” except for those — ahem — rare moments when someone in authority felt the need to rein in Matthew’s high-spirited and unbounded enthusiasm for life by using his full name in a tone of extreme seriousness. This rarely lasted long, as Matt has a lopsided grin that could melt the chilliest of hearts and against which few, least of all his mom, were any match.

Thanks to his dad’s love of soccer, his early toddler experiences of walking often included a small ball at his feet, which later translated into a brilliant talent on the soccer pitch. As he grew from toddler to young boy, the family moved to Yaak, which has few soccer fields, but many other outdoor opportunities.

He spent countless hours with his older brother, Ben, and pals, Haakon and Aaron, roaming the woods of the Yaak. Together, they stalked whitetail deer, snuck into Canada, rode homemade rafts down the river, swam and camped. The hills and woods of Yaak became his backyard and the outdoors his playground. He loved it and accepted all its challenges.

High school brought Matt to Troy, with new friends, new sports and new mountains. One full-moon weekend just before the beginning of his senior year, he and a friend hiked up to camp at Leigh Lake, which sits at the base of Snowshoe Peak, in the Cabinet Mountains. As they descended to their campsite Aug. 4, 2001, Matt suffered a fall that led to extensive head and chest injuries, from which he never fully recovered. His mom has been his loving caregiver for the 16 years since he came home after his initial accident.

Matt is survived by his parents, Jim and Donna; brothers and sisters, Hosannah, Benjamin, Marybeth, Sarah, Anna and Patrick; aunts, Patty Valentine and Sherry Gibb; uncles, Bryan Gibb and Steve Michalik; and many other loving family and friends.

Matt's parents would like to express their deep thankfulness, first to God, our Father in heaven, the giver and taker of life, and secondly to the many friends and family members who have stood with us in love and support, both now and throughout the many years since our son's accident.

Matt was laid to rest in Boyd Hill Cemetery, under his beloved northwestern Montana sky, amongst a stand of beautiful old-growth Yaak larch.

The family plans to have a gathering to celebrate Matt’s life with as many friends and family as possible later in the spring of this year.

Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.