Ann Louise Chouinard

Ann Louise (Nass) Chouinard, 90, affectionately known as “Gramma Ann,” passed away peacefully July 2, 2013, in the arms of her daughter, Jean.

She was born Oct. 20, 1922, in Libby, Mont., the youngest of five children born to Joseph and Theresa Mahler Nass.

She moved to Glasgow in 1929, graduating from Glasgow High School in 1940. She attended Columbus School of Nursing in 1942 and worked for Dr. CB Larson and Dr. Nils Agneburg.

In 1946, she married Warren Joseph Chouinard, and raised five children while working alongside her husband, “Big Joe,” at Joe’s Market. She was very active in the Glasgow community, enjoying lifetime friendships that spanned many generations. She eventually sold her home and moved to Nemont Manor, where life was easy and filled with good friends and the love of grandchildren.

St. Raphael’s Church and the community of women who shared her faith, continued to be a constant and loving memory for her as life moved her one last time to Billings. Her apartment at Highgate Senior Living brought yet another wonderful dimension to her life. She loved her care providers and never forgot a name. Her new friends shared meals, music, and tea, with never a day spent idle.

She will be remembered as a sharp bridge player to the very end. She never lost her passion for reading, Jeopardy, or professional basketball. Go Celtics!

Getting together with “the girls” for wine and lively conversation was a highlight for all. Countless neighborhood children experienced the love of Gramma Ann, her famous brownies, sharp wit, and interest in their lives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren Joseph “Big Joe” Chouinard; siblings, John Nass, Joseph “Bud” Nass, Mary Nass Wall, and Theresa Nass Miller; and “choice” son-in-law Morris Braden; and beloved daughter- in- law, Amy Chouinard. (This was Joe’s first wife Amy, Hilary’s mother, who died in a scuba diving accident in 1990.)

Survivors include five children, Joe Chouinard (Kathy Kealey), Janet Makin and her husband, Walt, Neil Chouinard, Susan Chouinard, and Jean Braden; nine grandchildren, Hilary Chouinard (Mike Nicks), Brian Chouinard and his wife, Krystal, Jacque Padgett and her husband, Mark, Rick Engstrom and his wife, Savannah, Nicholas Engstrom, Megan Braden, Hannah Braden, Kelsey Protos and her husband, Chris, and Dylan Peck; and eight great-grandchildren, Cassidy Nicks, Janeil and Dominik Zimdars, R.J and Eli Engstrom, Jace and Alex Protos, and Collin Chouinard.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, Aug. 2, at 11 a.m., at St. Raphael’s Parish in Glasgow.

She would love memorials to go to St. Raphael’s Catholic Church or the charity of your choice.