Joanne Lee McBride

Joanne Lee McBride, 69, passed away surrounded by family and friends on Thanksgiving Day 2024 - released from the pain of her sudden and unexpected battle with multiple myeloma.

Born Jan. 25, 1955, to Eugene and Luella (Krantz) McBride at Montana Deaconess Hospital in Great Falls, Joanne would later move with her parents and "favorite sister," Janean, to Libby, Montana in 1962.

She attended McGrade Elementary School where a notorious posse of lifelong friends would fast be formed before moving again with her parents to Lewistown, Montana, then graduating high school in 1973.

Genealogy was a strong passion of Joanne’s. She connected strongly with her paternal and maternal families – listening, sharing and documenting stories and information gathered with genuine intention and a healthy dose of hope to engage future generations.

Following work as a legal assistant in Lewistown, Montana, Joanne and one of her favorite cousins decided it was time for a new adventure – so off they drove into the sunset with their tiny little Toyota packed to the brim. Next stop: the ferry to Alaska.

Joanne was soon hired as a contractor, later recruited directly, with ARCO on the North Slope of Alaska – working in the Kuparuk and Prudhoe Bay camps where she held various Procurement and Contracts positions for two decades. She earned high accolades as project coordinator and text editor for ARCO’s Industry Pioneers hardbound publication, chronicling the company’s history from 1955-1999.

A fierce champion for morale, Joanne consistently found ways to facilitate work/life/laughter balance while stationed on the slope. She formed the Arctic Ocean Chapter of the Polar Bear Club in 1986, taking the inaugural plunge with co-workers turned fast-friends at her side.

Following an unexpected life-flight back to the Lower 48, Joanne retired from the North Slope as she recovered and regained her nearly lost vision. Not missing a beat thereafter, she moved back to Northwest Montana and intentionally surrounded herself with family and friends. Caring for her father, “favorite sister,” and countless others in their own times of needed support came without hesitation.

Joanne would later pursue a Bachelor of Arts & Psychology from the University of Montana where she graduated in 2007 with Honors - of course! She was anyone and everyone's walking encyclopedia of knowledge - critical or trivial, she always had the answer.

Her love of travel, culture, arts, and music carried her to countless destinations throughout the United States and across both oceans, always with family or friends gained along life’s path close at her side. Joy shared always the key mission when plotting her next venture.

And that laugh. What a wickedly loving and inarguably mischievous and twisted sense of humor she possessed. No person was marked safe from her quick and sharp wit. Countless moments of levity were carefully crafted and/or documented in writing by Joanne to commemorate every life occasion imaginable. The annual BOTY gathering will never be quite the same – if you knew, you know.

“Remember me with smiles and laughter,” Joanne penned in a final thought she wished to be shared. “For that is how I will remember you all.”

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Luella (Krantz) McBride. 

She is survived by her sister, Janean (Dennis) McBride-Rowland of Libby, Montana; her nieces, Stacy Bender of Libby, Montana and Kori Bender of Billings, Montana; her great-nephew, Keaton Bender-Mitchell and her great-nieces, Porter Bender and Marley VanCleave - all of Billings, Montana; lifelong friends, Dixie and Vic White, Linda and Dick Buti, Dorothy McBride, and Bruce and Patti Jo Vincent - all of Libby, Montana; and last but far from least, her beloved dog, Maple.

A celebration of life will be held at the United Methodist Church of Libby, Montana, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 with a reception to follow. Arrangements are by the Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.

Joanne made it a priority to provide a forever home to elderly dogs who might not otherwise be adopted. She also volunteered countless hours with Wings in support of those struggling to meet the financial burdens of battling cancer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joanne's name to Kootenai Pets for Life or Wings Regional Cancer Support of Lincoln County.

Further celebration and internment will be held in May 2025 at the Krantz Family Cemetery in St. Ignatius, Montana. Specific date/time TBA.