Mary Miles Gay, 99, of Broadus, Montana, passed away Sunday, December 25, 2022 at the Powder River Manor in Broadus.

Mary was born in Helena, Montana, the first of three children of Mildred Burgess Miles and Charles Miles. She grew up on the family sheep ranches in Powder River County, graduating from Powder River County District High School and Montana State University Bozeman with a BS in Home Economics in 1946 where she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She taught for a year in Miles City before marrying Hubert H. Gay in 1947 and moving to the Gay Ranch on the Powder River where she spent the rest of her years.

She enjoyed quilting, knitting, gardening, playing her piano, volunteering in the community, singing in the Powder River Congregational Church choir, and was an avid reader. Her father told her that if she did her best, she could accomplish anything. In a quiet tenacious way, she lived his words raising her family and feeding ranch crews.

Mary is survived by sons Dr. John (Anne) Gay of Pullman, Washington, Bill (Dina) Gay of Broadus, Glenn Gay of the family ranch, daughter Marianna (Carl) Hansen of Billings. Grandchildren Jody (Mike) Wendt of Denver, CO, Matt (Jessica Coil) Gay of Kirkland, WA, Christopher Gay of Hillsboro, OR, Dr. Elizabeth Gay of Boston, MA, Hannah Hansen of Billings, Miles Hansen of the family ranch, and great grandchild Charlotte Wendt of Colorado, three nieces and four nephews.

No memorial service will be held per Mary's request. The family will gather later to honor her life.