Jerri L. Guiffrida, 64

Jerri was “called to heaven” on Saturday, March 24, after a courageous fight with cancer. She will be greatly missed by many.

Jerri was born in Webster, South Dakota to Roland and Naomi Roen on April 23, 1953. Shortly after birth the family moved to the Great Falls area, where she resided until she was 12 years old. The family then moved to Long Beach, California. A couple of years later, while attending junior high, Jerri met a young man named Phillip Guiffrida Jr. They became high school sweethearts and on Sept. 23, 1972 they were married.

In the mid ‘80s Phillip and Jerri were looking to leave the hustle and bustle of the big city. Jerri said the only place she would ever want to live is back in Montana. That was all it took; they packed up their belongings and two young children and moved to Kalispell.

Jerri spent many years working as a bookkeeper for a variety of businesses in Kalispell. Over the last couple of years she gave back to the community as a volunteer for Cancer Support Community of Kalispell.

Jerri enjoyed sitting in her backyard gazebo reading books on long summer days. She also loved and cherished spending time with her grandchildren.

Jerri is preceded in death by both her parents, Roland Roen and Naomi Guseman. Jerri is survived by her husband of 46 years, Phillip Guiffrida Jr., son Joseph and daughter-in-law Mara Guiffrida of Kalispell, son Phillip and daughter-in-law Michelle Guiffrida and their children Logan and Wyatt of Kalispell, sister Jean Hixson, brothers Jim and John Roen and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will be having a celebration of life ceremony this summer. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in her name to Cancer Support Community of Kalispell or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.