Joan Marie Connor died peacefully in the early morning hours at Discovery Care Centre in Hamilton, Mont., Jan. 19, 2015, at the age of 77.   This was her Grandmother McCauley's birthday so she wanted an early start to celebrate with her in Heaven.

      She was born in Butte, Mont., to Thomas J. and Lois McCauley Connor, ranchers at Melrose.   Joan Marie enjoyed being a great-granddaughter of pioneer families who came to southwest Montana in the 1860's through the early 1900's.   She was afflicted with Juvenile Arthritis at an early age and was soon unable to walk and was limited to life in a wheelchair and needing much care.   She was not one to let her disability get the best of her.   She participated in 4-H in the Melrose Thimblers Sewing Club and the Glen Sagebrush 4-H Club.   She won many county and district awards with her sewing.   Her brother helped her with beef calves.   In later years she was a charter member of the Melrose Grange, serving as secretary for many years and was also active in the State Grange.

      She served as secretary for the Connor Ranch, Inc.   After graduation from Butte High School in 1956, she did some college work by correspondence.   She moved to Corvallis in 1972 to help with Shiloh Christian Ministries.   In 1975, she moved to 1151 Centennial Lane at Corvallis.   Joan Marie was aided by many loving and caring caregivers.

      She was an advocate for Rights for the Disabled.   She worked with Summit Independent Living for 25 years.   Summit is a non-residential advocacy organization for people with disabilities.   Joan Marie spent many hours doing disability assessments for private and public business establishments;   including campground and fishing accesses, as well as schools, restaurants etc.

      When the City of Hamilton started discussion of closing the old swimming pool on Main Street, Joan Marie became very active on the committee for a new pool;   becoming chairperson, searching out pools, conducting professional surveys and being sure it would be handicap assessable, and that classes for all would be taught.

      Joan Marie enjoyed teaching children and adult Bible classes.   She was an avid reader of God's Word, enjoying church and supporting missionaries and was active in Women's Ministries in the Hamilton Assembly of God Church.   Her joy was in the Lord.

      The last few years her bout with disabilities took its toll.   It required her to have more caregivers.   Many thanks to her many faithful and loving caregivers throughout the years.   They have been very dedicated and thoughtful and appreciated.   The personnel and staff at Discovery Care Centre are much appreciated.   Thank you to all including the many doctors, nurses, and therapists.

      Joan Marie was preceded in death by her parents and her nephew, David T. Connor.

      She is survived by her brother, Kent Connor and wife, Mary Lou;   and ywo nephews, Craig of Corvallis and Jeffrey of Mount Vernon, Wash.

      Visitation will be held from 10 to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, at the Daly Leach Chapel with funeral services following at 1 p.m. at the funeral home.   There will be a reception immediately following the services in the funeral home’s community room.   Burial will take place at the Corvallis Cemetery after the reception.

      The family suggests that memorials be made in Joan Marie’s name to the Hamilton Assembly of God Church (601 West Main St., Hamilton 59840) or to Summit Independent Living Center (700 SW Higgins, Suite 101, Missoula, Mont., 59803).   Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com or go to www.mtstandard.com.