Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

Virginia Lee Speck

Virginia Lee Speck, 105, beloved aunt, teacher and friend, a long-time resident of Missoula, died peacefully in her sleep on March 8, 2017 of natural causes.

She was born at home 10 miles south of Whitehall, Montana, the oldest of three children of Rachel and Edwin C. Speck, on May 21, 1911. Virginia was a descendent of Major E.G. Brooke, early pioneer who founded and named the town of Whitehall. She attended Whitehall public schools, graduating in 1929 as valedictorian of a class that included Chet Huntley, who became a noted national newscaster, and Edward Alexander, one of Montana’s foremost lawyers. She graduated from Montana State University in 1933 and later earned a Master’s degree from the University of Montana in 1946.

Her teaching career began in 1933 following graduation and she taught science and math for the next 40 years. She taught in Dutton, St. Ignatius, Manhattan, Phillipsburg, and Deer Lodge before coming to Missoula in 1945 to teach mathematics at Missoula County High School. After 27 years in the Missoula school system, the last ten as chairman of the math department at Sentinel High School, she retired in 1973. During her teaching career she was selected to attend three National Science Foundation Institutes at the University of Delaware, the University of Montana, and Columbia University in New York City. She was granted a year’s leave of absence in 1951-1952 to teach in the American Army High School in Frankfurt, Germany. It was a memorable experience for many reasons, including traveling on weekends to other European countries where damage from World War II was still evident.

She was active in the First United Methodist Church of Missoula for over 70 years and a member for over 50. Her service to her church included participation in United Methodist Women and leadership in the Thela Guild.

In 1999 she received the Olive Reichel Award honoring “unsung heroes” in the congregation. She served on the board of directors of the YWCA, was a Kappa Delta alum, was a member and past state president of Delta Kappa Gamma, an organization for teachers, was a friend of the library and the museum, and was a member of PEO.

Always one for adventure, she traveled widely with friends and family throughout the U.S. and in her retirement to England, France, Morocco, Greece, Israel, Mexico, and Guatemala. She was in Vienna, Austria, on 9/11/2001 at the age of 90. An excellent seamstress, she was also adept at any hand needlework.

Playing bridge and the piano and raising flowers were also hobbies.

Her greatest passion, though, was her family. Known as “Miss Speck” to her many former students, she was affectionately called “Aunt Virginia” by her family and all of their friends. She was devoted to her nieces and nephews and their welfare and later to grand nieces and nephews as well. Her home in Missoula served as a “bed and breakfast” as she frequently provided board, room and transportation to any family that came to Missoula.

She was preceded in death by her two beloved brothers, E. Carroll Speck and Stanley Brooke Speck, and her sisters-in-law, Phyllis Speck and Esther Speck. She is survived by her nine nieces and nephews: Carolyn (Bob) Adams and Stan Speck of Helena, Virginia (Jim) Court and Gail Speck of Billings, Brenda Speck-Mullner of Graz, Austria, Sharon Speck of Helena, Shirley (Dave) Swogger of Miles City, Dr. Evan Speck of Evansville, Indiana, and Eric Speck of Lexington Park, Maryland.

There are numerous grand and great grand nieces and nephews as well. Of special mention is grand niece Anne Blanche Adams and her husband Brink Kuchenbrod and children Tait and Anneke of Missoula who were caregivers for Virginia in her home for several years. Her final year-and-a-half was spent at “Our House” in Helena where she received superb care.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 3, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Missoula. Memorials may to made to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund, PO Box 7646, Missoula, MT or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

 

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