Josie “Libba” Delaney, 86, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, January 19, in Helena, MT, with her sons by her side.
Libba was born March 9, 1936, to Mose and Catherine Dupree and grew up in Shorters, AL. She met the love of her life, Fred Delaney, and they were married in Opelika, AL on Jan. 3, 1953. They moved to Montana after Fred’s military discharge and made many happy memories and raised four children together.
Libba enjoyed life and the time spent with friends, family, and animal companions. She was a loving mother and wife, who will be deeply missed. She spent many years working and caring for others. She worked at St. John’s Hospital caring for others and then in a local physical therapy practice for many years. In her later years, she helped manage the Budget Motor Inn where she enjoyed visiting with all the guests.
Libba loved all the times spent with her family camping and boating and many memorable outings with family and extended family and friends. She also enjoyed bowling, playing keno machines, helping her sons with special projects including sewing the upholstery for a T-bucket car and playing with her dogs and granddogs.
Libba is survived by her sons, Fred ‘Danny’ Delaney and Robby (Barb) Delaney, all of Helena; daughter, Vicki and Drew Hetherington of Reno, NV; brothers, George (Mona) Dupree and Mose (Marlene) Dupree, both of Helena; sister, Patricia (Ed) Stahler of Great Falls, MT ; grandsons, Gary Byers of Denver, CO, and Dustin Delaney of Helena; and 5 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Libba loved being around people having something to say to everyone she met (whether she knew them or not), and had a great love of animals. She will be genuinely missed by all those she met and touched.
Libba was preceded in death by her parents, Mose and Catherine Dupree; husband, Fred Delaney; son, Vernon Delaney; sisters, Janie Smith, Mary Griffin and Christine Arello; brothers, James Daniel and Stan Dupree; and daughter in-law, Robin Delaney.
Cremation has taken place. A gathering will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 28th at the Moose Lodge, 4750 N. Montana Ave in Helena. Donations in Libba’s memory may be sent to the Lewis & Clark Humane Society, P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604
Service Schedule
Social Gathering
1:00 p.m.
Saturday January 28, 2023
Moose Lodge
4750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Social Gathering
1:00 p.m.
Saturday January 28, 2023
Moose Lodge
4750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
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VONNIE JENKINS says
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Scott St. Clair says
Condolences to the Delaney Family, I met and spent a few years bowling with Libba and Fred in the old East Helena Mixed League. Being a young newcomer to bowling and the league both Fred and Libba made me feel welcome and comfortable in that setting. I absolutely enjoyed them whenever we were close on the lanes. Libba so enjoyed her bowling and made it fun for the rest of us. I will always have good memories of your mother. Scott