As if the year 2020 couldn’t get any worse, Maureen “Moe” Hamblin passed away peacefully in her sleep, Tuesday, October 27. She was born Maureen Elizabeth Lakel on February 6th, 1943, to Larry “Pie” and Alice Lakel. The second eldest of six children, she was raised in Anaconda, Montana. She married George A. Hamblin in April of 1965. They had 4 children.
Beginning in the late 1970’s, Moe worked many jobs in many capacities, the longest being with the Butte Pre-Release Center (nearly 30 years). She retired in 2013. All her positions required that she deal with and help people. Through her sense of humor, magnetic personality and giving spirit, she has influenced hundreds (if not thousands) of people from all walks of life in positive and memorable ways. She forged lifelong friendships, and spoke highly of every one of them. You all know who you are.
She was preceded in death by her parents Pie and Alice Lakel, sister Mary Pat Montgomery, and infant son Darren Hamblin.
She is survived by her brothers and sisters, Larry (Ann) Lakel, Peggy Lakel, Ikie (Dave) Thompson, Jimmy (Christy) Lakel, her children Michele (Brian) Kerr, Mike Hamblin (Colette Holstine), Mark (Molina) Hamblin, her treasured grandchildren Teague and Kendel Kerr, Marley Drew Hamblin, and countless nieces and nephews, all of which adored and loved her a great deal.
Moe lived a very profound and exciting existence. She had a colorful story for all her adventures and experiences. Her motto in life, which applies in many cases and bears repeating: “It’s better to be sorry for something you did, than something you didn’t do.”
The world is a bit darker without Moe in it, but the skies are much brighter.
Services will be postponed in light of the pandemic, and a celebration of a life well lived will be announced at a later date
Please visit below to offer a condolence or share a memory of Moe. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Moe and her family.
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Service Schedule
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Mary Kay Bennett says
I loved Maureen from the first moment I met her.. I think playing volleyball in the Daly gym in Anaconda.
High school at Central & roaring to Deer Lodge to see our boyfriends kept us busy as she cheered all of us on to be our best selves.
They are laughing in heaven and I can’t wait to get there and see “Mo” once again.
I am so sorry for all of you who loved her.
Mary Kay Fabich Bennett
Jack Moreni says
Jumped a train with her in deer lodge rode it all the way to Seattle, boy were we in trouble when we got home! Will miss her and her upbeat attitude! Rip my friend!
Mary Andreoli says
I am so sad to hear this! Love and prayers to the family from the Oberweiser’s! ❤️🙏🏻
Dodie Osborn says
Maureen was always so positive. Great personality. So happy to have reconnected with her at our 50 th class reunion from Anaconda Central. She will be a shining star in heaven and the sky. Blessings and sincere sympathy to her family.
Dodie Maricich-Osborn
Dick Solum says
We always admired Moe for her fun uplifting spirit and positive attitude. Sincere sympathies to her family and friends. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Dick and Nancy Solum
Patricia R White says
Maureen was a brilliant light that brightened so many of our lives! She had a strong impact on so many! A live very well lived!
JoAnne (Fox) Guiberson says
So very sorry to hear Maureen has gone on to her reward. I’ll always be grateful to her for introducing me (in Seattle) to her high school friend Mick Guiberson. We’re still together 5 decades later & have Maureen to thank. She had such a great attitude toward life. A great life cut way too short.
Dennis Fellows says
Sorry for your loss.
Linda Frailey says
My sympathies to friends and family. I remember when Maureen worked at Warm Springs. She always came in so cheerful and bubbly. Mary Pat and I were friends and I worked some with her mother Alice who was also a giant ray of sunshine. She sure came from a very blessed family.
Lia and Gene says
Mo was a great person, sure enjoyed talking with her. She was a beautiful soul. I also loved her tie dye shirts and her hats. Heaven gained a beautiful Angel. Will surely miss you Mo. Gene thoroughly loved your stories too Mo. You will be missed.
Larry & Kurry Hoffman says
It is times of this that only time heals.
Sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Colleen Hunter says
I am so saddened by Moe leaving us. she had a personality that was so catching and so uplifting. She gave me two sketches that her son had done as gifts, which hang on my wall and I think of her daily when I look at them❤️ my heart goes to her family
Maura Uggetti says
Mo was one of my favorite people I ever worked with, she was always fun, treated people from all walks of life fairly and always had a great story to tell. A life well lived. She will be missed. My thoughts to her family,
Lori Verrall says
I am sorry for your loss. Worked with Moe for 20 years. Loved her dearly. I will miss you MOE MOE
Lori Verrall
Audie James says
Oh, such a great loss!! She always remembered people, always greeted u with a smile! We played in Pool league for years! She was So Much Fun!! May she rest in peace!! Love u Moe!!
Joanne Puccinelli says
I am so sorry to hear about Maureen’s death. She always was full of fun. I won her son’s painting at our 50th class reunion. It hangs in a special place in our home. I think of her when I see it. Maureen was especially kind and encouraging during a hard time in my life. I will always be grateful to have her as a friend. I am sure heaven is more fun with Maureen joining its angels! Rest in peace, Maureen.
Kristi Boston says
Godspeed, Moe! I enjoyed every minute of being your “hair psychiatrist” for the last few years…. what a rollicking time we had…. sharing everything from laughter to secrets, it felt like a night out on the town every time you graced me with your fabulous personality…. what a beautiful person you were, inside & out…. How lucky was I!
Sure goona miss ya,
Judy Winscot says
So sad to hear about Moe, she was one fun lady. Never forget when she would decide to cut her own hair then she would come to me and cry and tell me i should of called you,you could of talked me down. She did a good job tho. Loved hearing her stories what a great lady. My thoughts and prayers go out to all her family. Thinking of you Hambone. Judy Winscot
Dave Holman says
Rest In Peace Moe!! We are all better people for just knowing you. You were always like my second mom growing up.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Mike, Mark, Michelle and family.
Carol Mae Morrow says
So sorry to hear this. Moe was a great person..kind & understanding. We worker together at the Care/Hope Units at the old St. James. Will never forget her. RIP
Bill Pacheco says
I was chatting with my parents when I read she passed. She put up with our shenanigans as kids (most of the time) and she had the best stories (I recall one about a spittoon!)! Our thoughts and prayers go out to Michele, Mike & Mark. My heart breaks for her friends and family.
Connie Wininger Kadar says
I met her only once but will never forget her wonderful caring spirit. We walked from her house to go out to dinner. She was pure entertainment and laughter the whole time. She loved and encouraged everyone she met.
Joe Dziak says
Maureen enriched the lives of everyone she met. Rest In Peace dear lady.
Dave says
Words cannot express Moe. Her personality, humor and love cannot be described. Moe was the glue for all her kids and friends. We will miss Moe everyday.
May God bless her and her family.
Ellie Larson says
So great to see you just weeks ago at our wonderful Washoe Park class picnic. We shared a nice long hug. Thanks dear friend for all your sunshine. LOVE Ellie
mike and sue kenny says
mike kenny says so sorry for your loss mark only got to meet your mother couple times.
Paula Paasch says
Mo, from the minute I met you and realized that we both went through the same surgery, I knew we were go na hit it off. I absolutely loved seeing you when Colby and I visited Butte, you were a ray of Sunshine. I will miss you beyond words.
Rest easy my friend.
Larry & Karen Briney says
Sending healing prayers as we share in your sadness on the passing of your mom Moe. She was a true friend, caring, compassionate, and kind always putting everyone before her. We will miss her dearly.
Wendy (Brown) Hall says
Deepest condolences on the loss of your mom, Mark. She always had a big smile on her face! God bless your family in this time of need.
J says
So sorry. Great lady to work with and away so had a smile.
Andre Martell Boucher says
I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. I often saw her out in her yard when I was visiting the neighborhood. She was a wonderful woman. My prayers are with you.
Robert Lane says
The handful of times I had the privilege of spending time with “Mike’s Mom” were a complete joy. Her infectious laugh and sense of humor could brighten even the darkest days. Rest in peace and safe travels, Lady.
Tom Greenough says
I am nearly at a loss for words, at Maureen’s passing. I am so sorry for her family, my good friend, her brother Larry, and the world in general. We have lost a great Human Being. May she Rest in Peace, and may her friends and Family be consoled. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
We were lifelong friends, starting as toddlers together at the Mt. Haggin Homes and our families being neighbors, where she claimed she gave me my first concussion, by pushing my walker down the stairs from the second floor, and always threatening through kindergarten and St. Paul’s “…if ya’ don’t knock it off, your gonna get another concussion!” I remember for many years she was known as Elizabeth, as we “…already had” a Maureen in our class (who’s idea was that?). I still remember her shriek of “PEANUTS?”, at my snafu in Mother Jean Marie’s Geography class in the 6th grade. It ended a great lesson, and provided me with an embarrassing moniker, for several years. Our 8th grade year, 8 of us, with a couple of add ons here and there, spent nearly every waking minute together, for a good part of the year, even with her role in “…”Tricking” us into joining the Christmas Play!”.
JMPS and Jimmy, Billy, Joey, and myself, were fixtures during that very formative juncture of our lives, as first “serious” girlfriends and boyfriends, especially at the Ogden home, every night doing dishes, as then we could “socialize”! We swore we all would never part!
Then, at the end of that wonderful year, the family of one of our gang, moved to a new house, on the other side of town (about 6 blocks away!); one family moved to Whitefish, as her mom took a new job; a couple of us changed school’s, and our real life “Happy Days” in the 1950’s came to an end, although most of us remained close friends, for the rest of our lives.
I will never forget those times, those people, and although two of them have left us, I will always cherish Jimmy and Maureen, and the rest of our friends, as the lights that helped enlighten the path through this wonderful life. Maureen Elizabeth Lakel Hamblin, your light will always shine in my heart. Until we meet again.
Mary Kemp Kostich says
I met her when I was a teenager & she was a new mom. So full of life, love, hope & fun! It makes me sad to realize how I let the years go since then & lost connection with her. She instantly created a bond of love that has never dissolved. I am so sorry for the huge inviolable hole her passing leaves in her family & dear friends’ hearts. RIP – you were a light.
Carol Mulholland says
Moe, what a blessing to have reconnected after years of each of us taking different paths.
These last couple of years and the time we’ve shared will remain forever in my missing you aching heart
I can imagine that wonderful sense of humor of yours causing the halls of Heaven to rock with laughter,
You are missed, will always be near. Condolences to Larry, Jim, Mark, Mike, Michele and families how blessed were they to call you their own “Love you, my friend”
Cathy West says
Mike. Michelle and Mark,
I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. She was such a wonderful person. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Katy West says
Mike so very very sorry.
Your Mom was a very beautiful
Lady and was so proud of you.
May God Bless you!!!