Marlene Carol Eby (Trentman) Tinsley

Marlene Carole (Eby) Tinsley, 85, of Livingston, Montana, and formerly, Helena, passed away Saturday, March 19th, 2016 at her home with her sons and daughter-in-law at her side. Cremation has taken place at Franzen-Davis Crematory. Per Moms wishes, a formal funeral service will not be held. If you would like to remember Mom with a memorial, we would suggest the Ramsey-Keller Memorial Foundation in memory of Mom's infant great-granddaughter, Jacqueline Eby. Their mailing address is: RKM, 4456 Laredo Place, Billings, MT 59106. Mom was born on March 9, 1931 in Livingston. She was the only daughter of Ed and Bea (Stebbins) Trentman. Her parents divorced when she was in her teens and Mom later knew the love provided by a step-father Lyle Burrill, and a step-mother, Edna Trentman when her parents re-married. All of her parents remained dear to her throughout her life until their passing. Mom attended school in Livingston and other communities as she enjoyed the advantages of two separate sets of parents. Mom married William Eby on December 7, 1949 at the Sheridan Methodist Parsonage in Sheridan Montana. They lived in Ruby Montana initially and later moved to Helena, they raised two sons, Raymond and Edward, while Mom worked in the claims department of Blue Cross/Blue Shield Insurance Company. Dad passed away in 1977, and Mom relocated to Livingston to be nearer her mother and the community of her childhood that she remembered fondly. She worked for a time as a phone operator and later cooked and waitressed for Livingston businesses. Mom met and fell in love with Jack Tinsley and they married in August 1978. Jack became a welcome addition to our family and a beloved grandfather to our children. Mom and Jack lived on a small tract of land in the Paradise Valley where they raised a few head of cattle and harvested a yearly hay crop. Frequent visits from grandchildren delighted both Mom and Jack. Following Jack's death Mom relocated to Livingston where she remained until the time of her death. Mom was a young, vivacious mother when we were young. She often joked that we grew up together. We were very proud of her beauty when she would attend our school functions and we have fond memories of standing on the tops of her feet while she danced across our living room floor to the latest records playing on her stereo. She was fun loving and fiercely proud of her sons and their accomplishments. She was our biggest fan and we hope everyone has someone in their life fulfilling that role. As she grew older, Mom became a skilled crafter and delighted in making Christmas decorations for friends and family. Many of our co-workers would eagerly look forward to her latest creations as the holiday season grew near. Mom sacrificed a great deal for us. Although we grew up in modest means she always made sure we had the clothes, toys and opportunities that would not put us at a disadvantage compared to our play-mates. It was only later that we realized that she frequently went without things so that we could have what others had. She was the best and we were happy. Blessed be her memory. Mom is survived by her: Sons, Ray Eby and his wife Diane of Helena, Ed Eby of Livingston. Daughter-in-law, Patti Eby of Denver CO. Step-son, Clint Tinsley and his wife Angie of Livingston. Grandchildren, Danielle Shelton and her husband Mike of Sacramento CA ; April Eby and her daughter Kyra of Denver, CO; Brett Eby and his wife Amanda and their daughters, Olivia and Caroline of Helena; Jenny Chambers and her husband Mike and their sons Tyson and Truman of Livingston; Amanda Varela and her husband Mateo of Boise ID; Alexis Tinsley of Livingston. Mom is preceded in death by her parents Bea and Lyle; Ed and Edna; husbands Bill and Jack; and infant grandson Jackson Tinsley and infant great-granddaughter Jacqueline Eby who were born into the arms of God. Our family extends a special thank you to the following: the entire staff of Bozeman Rocky Mountain Hospice and a special hug to Moms personal care givers, Matt and Taylor; the nurses and attendants on the medical floor of Livingston Health Care Hospital; Joanne Scrip of Home Instead and Dr. Scofield for their compassionate care of Mom and their guidance through a difficult period. Arrangements are under the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory.