Victoria Ann Gauthier McCarthy

After returning to Missoula in 1967, Vicky worked for the Missoula County Superintendent of Schools, and in September 1969, Vicky married her life partner, Bob McCarthy. They lived an adventure-filled 30 years, residing in Missoula and Fairbanks, Alaska, before finally moving to Polson in 1984.

In Polson, Vicky went to work for the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes. She worked in various jobs, including managing the Salish Kootenai College bookstore, as a Court Advocate, as Executive Secretary of Mission Valley Power, and at the time of her death, for the Safety of Dams program.

Vicky was a member of the Tribes, Immaculate Conception Parish, and the Mission Valley YMCA. She was a past President of the Polson Athletic Booster Club and a Religious Education Director.

To say that Vicky was a loving and caring wife, mother, and friend would be to understate her boundless heart. She was famous for her hospitality, warmth, kindness, generosity, and ever-present smile. She was also a famous cook, preparing hundreds of birthday cakes, dinners, and parties for family, friends, and co-workers. To play cards, to laugh and talk, and to play with children were her favorite things. She was a genius at creating joy in others and had a tremendous capacity for love.

Preceded in death by her mother and father, Vicky was survived by her husband Bob at the family home; daughter Kristy McCarthy of Polson; son and daughter-in-law Dan and Judy McCarthy of Anchorage, Alaska; sister Bonnie Rice of Polson; brothers Larry and Jolene Gauthier and Gary and Geri Gauthier of Polson; and Bob and Myrna Gauthier of Ronan, plus more than 60 nieces and nephews.

Mass of the Resurrection was held October 1, 1999, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson.

Since her death, Vicky's children have given her eleven grandchildren, none of whom she got to meet. Her brothers Larry and Bob and her sister Bonnie have also passed away in recent years. She is still missed every day by those who knew her, but especially by her husband, Bob, her son, Dan, and her daughter, Kristy, who, more than anything would like to introduce her to her granddaughter, Anna, who most resembles her of all the grandchildren and who inherited her sweet spirit.