Barbara Simmons Huntley, 93

As the morning sun crested the horizon on February 1, 2024, surrounded by her children, Barbara Huntley (93 yrs.) peacefully passed at her home in Sun City West, Arizona, and was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior.

Barbara was born March 26, 1930, in Mackay, Idaho to Darwin and Zula Simmons. After numerous moves, her family settled in Whitehall, Montana where she graduated from high school in 1948. During her time at Whitehall High, she met a handsome young man who ultimately captured her heart. They continued their courtship while both attending the University of Montana in Missoula. On September 10, 1950, Barbara married her love, Clayton L. Huntley, and moved to the Huntley Home Ranch in the Big Hole Valley where together they raised five children. Even after retiring to Sun City West, they would always return to Montana's majestic mountains and their ranch home in Wisdom for the summer months.

Barbara was a woman of impeccable grace and class, whose beauty radiated brightly inside and out. She was always perfectly made up, dressed to the nines, and her heart of gold brought a sparkle to every room she entered. Barbara loved vibrant colors, beautiful flowers, decorating her home, and preparing a delicious meal. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, always giving of herself. Her talents were limitless and she shared freely, especially when music was involved. She was blessed with a beautiful soprano voice and was sought after to sing at weddings, funerals, church services, conventions, and in productions. Highlights include singing before two US presidents and being a guest soloist for the Butte Symphony. Other talents included sewing, knitting, dancing, downhill skiing, bowling, and golfing. She was also actively involved in numerous civic organizations in Wisdom, Dillon, and Sun City West.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Clayton; her parents; her brother, Darwin Simmons II, and her grandson, Robert James Monaco.

She is survived by her children: Sheryl Huntley, Patti (Tony) Monaco, Blake (Brenda) Huntley, Susan (Brian) Sanders, and Robert (Maria) Huntley, in addition to her 15 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

We will miss her big brown eyes, beautiful smile, and warm hugs, but we rejoice knowing she is now whole and complete in mind and body joining her husband Clayton in their heavenly home. Barbara and Clayton will be interred together at the Wisdom Cemetery in a private family ceremony.

A Celebration of Life honoring Barbara will take place in Wisdom, Montana on July 6, 2024.

Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer's Association at act.alz.org/donate, or to the Robert Monaco Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o University of Montana Western Foundation, 710 S. Atlantic, Dillon, MT 59725.