Mildred “Millie” Ree (Hale) Preston Joy, 88

“Millie” Joy traveled quietly to Heaven from her home in Hot Springs on March 21, 2023 with family at her side.

Mildred Ree Hale was born April 13, 1934 to Elvin and Evelyn Hale in Townsend. Mildred married Larry Preston of Sheridan while they both attended Montana State University in Bozeman. They had six children and lived in a variety of places around southwestern Montana, with a short stint in Colorado.

Later in life, Millie was married to Lowell “Skip” Joy and lived in Idaho and Arkansas, and eventually returned to Montana where she lived in Hamilton and finally Hot Springs.

Millie was preceded in death by her parents, brother Malcolm Hale, and infant grandchildren Monica Preston, Anthony Preston, and Jonathon Preston. She is survived by six children, Duncan (Ellen) Preston, Shelley Greening, Evelyn (Ken) Nilsen, James (Margaret) Preston, Michael (Wendy) Preston, and Elisabeth (Bill) Penney; along with 21 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and five nieces and nephews.

A graveside service and interment of ashes in Mount Green Cemetery in Willow Creek will be held later in the year. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Mom’s name to Luc Boys Ranch in Lampe, MO or St. Jude’s (or other charity of your choosing).