Opal Marian Daley Newell, 89

Opal Marian Daley Newell passed away peacefully at Billings Clinic, Billings, on May 11, 2017, surrounded by her family.

Opal was born April 15, 1928, in Whitefish to Carl Alfred Daley and Benora Vigen Daley. Opal spent her early childhood on the family farm with her five surviving older brothers (three died in infancy), one older sister and one younger brother. At age 12, Opal and her family moved to Kalispell where she attended and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1946.

On Sept. 11, 1948, Opal was united in marriage to James Swaney Newell. They started a family and had four children. In 1959, Jim and Opal moved their young family to Billings where Jim began a career in real estate.

Opal was a wonderful, loving, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. During the early years, Opal spent most of her time and attention caring for her young family. She had many talents. She was an excellent seamstress, providing beautifully handmade clothing for her family and homemade pajamas every year at Christmas time for her grandchildren. She also knitted and crocheted many afghans and sweaters. Birthdays were always celebrated with special homemade cakes skillfully decorated with floral designs and the person’s name on their cake. She actively supported her children in school and their activities outside of school. Opal also enjoyed yard work and gardening, growing much of her own vegetables in the summer.

When Opal’s children were older, she often worked as a secretary/bookkeeper for different businesses in the Billings area. She also found time to religiously exercise, spend time with grandchildren, play bridge with friends, and complete the daily crossword puzzle in the paper. Jim and Opal were very socially connected to and supported their community as lifetime members of the Elks Club. They were married for 62 years.

Opal is survived by her four children, James (Leta) of Billings, Thomas (Debra) of Glendive, Janice (Jim) Harris of Billings, and Rebecca (Rod) Horst of Laurel; two brothers, Jim Daley and Carl Daley of Kalispell; one sister, Betty Neal, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, as well as 13 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Opal was preceded in death by her husband Jim, her parents, six brothers, and her daughter-in-law Cindy Newell.

Graveside services and interment will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 9, at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Billings. A luncheon will follow noon at McCormick Cafe, 2419 Montana Ave.

The family would like to thank TenderNest Assisted Living for the wonderful care they gave Opal while she lived there.

Memorials in Opal’s name may be given to the Elk’s Club or a charity of one’s choice.

Smith Funeral Chapels is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be shared online at smithfuneralchapels.com.