Mary Helen (Lapier) Safford

Mary Helen Safford, 92, of Laurel, passed away peacefully on the evening of November 13, 2020 at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Billings as a result of COVID 19 in the comfort of her granddaughter, Jolene Klein.

Mary was born in Helena, the second of eight children born to Alfred and Nora (Sinclair) LaPier.

Mary was a proud Native American of Chippewa, Cree and Assiniboine heritage and a lifelong Montanan.  She loved being with her family and friends playing cards, puzzles, reading, movies, watching golf and football.  Mary was said to have the cleanest home in the state.

She will be missed by her family and many friends.


She is survived by her daughters, Rose Marie Foti, Nora Conway (Bill), Elsa Brzowski, Peggy Klein (Robert Bailey), daughter-in-law Susan Safford, sisters Betty Crawford, Joy Parks, brother Alfred LaPier, 12 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, multiple nieces and nephews, and 1 great grandpuppy.

She was preceded in death by her husband George, her parents, sons Dennis “Butch”, George Jr. and sons-in-law Jack Foti and Don Brzowski.

The family greatly appreciated the loving care provided to Mary by the fourth floor doctors and nurses of Saint Vincent Hospital.

Mary will be interred with her husband at the Veterans’ Cemetery in Laurel, Montana at a later date.  
Memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s name to the Disabled American Veterans at: Fort Harrison, Montana, VA Regional Hospital, 3633 Veterans Dr., Ste 110B,
Fort Harrison, MT 59636