Barbara K. Morgan Elliott, February 21, 1949 – July 29, 2020. After a short toddler time at Bozeman while her father completed civil engineering studies, Barb grew up in Havre, Montana and graduated from Havre High School in 1967. As a young adult, she worked at Montana Developmental Center (MDC)in Boulder, which would later become her long career as an RN. She also met her dearest friends, Sandy Sletton and Marilyn McHugh as a young adult.
She got married to Kent Elliott on August 31, 1974.
She continued her education at Eastern Montana College (now MSU-Billings) and the University of Montana. It was after the third daughter was born that she got back to college, earning an Associate Registered Nursing degree from Miles Community College. Barb was driven by a need to help people on the margins of life, especially those with developmental disabilities. Nursing at MDC became her long career. Helping people with difficult lives was her wider vocation: nursing at Pine Hills School, in Miles City’s Home Health program, Warm Springs State Hospital.
Barbara is survived by her husband Kent; daughters, Sarah Elliott and partner Nik, Heather (John) Willoughby, and Hannah (Felix) Shepherd; brothers, John Morgan and Tom Morga; life-long friend, Sandy Chestnut; and eight grandchildren.
A memorial with scattering of ashes will be held at a later date.
Preceding her in death were here sister Kathy; parents, Leigh and Arlene Hanson Morgan; and her life-long friend Marilyn McHugh.
Memorial gifts are by donor’s choice and suggested organizations that serve developmentally disabled persons.
Please visit below to offer a condolence or share a memory of Barbara. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Barbara and her family.
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Kent Elliott says
45 years – we were husband and wife. “…until we are parted by death.” And tha’st what it took on Wednesday last. Our different, sometimes opposing, points of view couldn’t separate us. Kids growing up and moving on to adult lives didn’t affet us. I guess there’s love that is deep to the core of who we are. Dementia took her away and sometimes I haven’t had the strength even to sit with her, But we had that love to uphold us.
Mary Williams says
Kent, so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed the time I was able to spend with Barb and learn about her life. She loved you and your family so much. My thought and prayers are with you.
Zora McMaster says
I knew Barbara from the time we were small. We both went to the Lutheran church and through Sunday school and confirmation together. Walking to confirmation by a forbidden route, Barbara fell and broke her arm. I spent a great deal of time at the Morgan home and loved her parents. Barbara was smart, witty and caring. My condolences to you, her family.
Marian Geil says
Sincere sympathy to the family of Barbara Elliott in their loss. Barb’s grit and tenacity in the long commute from Anaconda to Boulder during the years Kent served the Methodist Church in Anaconda were much appreciated and will always be remembered……………………………….Love to all the family.
Gaylene McHugh says
I am Gaylene McHugh (Marilyn’ McHugh’d much younger little sister.) 😂 Marilyn, Barb and Sandy were so good to me and I spent a lot of time with those three musketeers! They always made me feel that I was always welcome to tag along and would even act like they loved me being around. I spent summers hanging with them when they lived in Boulder and then Missoula learning life lessons that my parents might not have wanted me to learn. I just loved them and it was always a good time hanging with them. Barb was so intelligent, interesting, witty, fun, just a joy to be around. Marilyn and Barb are having wonderful conversations again in heaven. Rest In Peace Barb – until I get to tag along with you, Sandy and my sister again!
Lara Battles Curry says
Somehow I always expected that I would reconnect with Barbara in these golden years, but I am too late and so sorry. Barbara was always a bright spot in my marriage to her older brother, Tom, and I regretted very much losing touch with her after the marriage foundered. She was very bright, strong, inquisitive, and supportive while having the courage of her convictions and a way of stating rhem that was borh clear and humor-filled. Barbara’s dedication to those of limited ability is something of a testimony to her personal beliefs and the forces that shaped her. I do wish we had had more time together on this planet. She is mourned.