Miriam Gwenn Kensler

Miriam Gwenn Kensler was born in Libby, Montana on January 15, 1945. She died at the Libby Care Center on Sept. 18, 2024, from complications caused by dementia, diabetes and heart disease.

Gwenn attended Troy Public Schools, graduating as her class Valedictorian. She worked in Kalispell as a telephone operator and loved when Wayne Newton called home to Polson, because back then the operators could listen in on calls. 

Later jobs included working at Kootenai Drug, the Spur and Kootenai River Inn. Her favorite job was at the Book Cache in Anchorage, Alaska.

Life took her to various locals to live besides Anchorage, including Tennessee, Texas, California and Germany, but she spent the most time in Troy.

Gwenn was preceded in death by her parents, Roger and Flora Kensler, an infant sister and nephew Bill Chiaverini. 

She is survived by her sister Andrea Kensler-Chiaverini (Frank), brother Ward, and her two favorite people, her nephews Angelo and Dominic. Angelo and Dominic ask that she be remembered for being a wonderful aunt. Gwenn also leaves behind her besties Gloria (GlowyJean) Bryant and Darlene Mattila.

A favorite activity of Gwenn’s was attending plays, especially at the Bigfork, Montana Summer Playhouse. She expanded her love for musicals by attending The Phantom of the Opera at various venues, a highlight being Broadway with a former English teacher.

While in Troy, she volunteered on the ambulance board, for the Troy Fine Arts Council, and as a chaperone for her sister’s school group trips to plays in Spokane, Missoula, and Whitefish with the Foreign Language Club. She was a member of Eastern Star and the Troy Methodist Church.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring. If you want to make donations in her honor, please send them to the Bigfork Summer Playhouse Scholarship program at P.O. Box 456, Bigfork, MT 59911.

In the words of the Phantom, “Think of (her) fondly, when we’ve said goodbye. Remember [her] once in a while.”

Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared be visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.