Richie Lee (Walker) Hamel, 49, who worked as a medical lab technician, enjoyed playing the piano and was an avid M.S.U. Bobcat fan, and served diligently on the committee that raised funds to build a new Chester swimming pool in 2008, died Tuesday at the Liberty Medical Center following a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
There will be a public visitation today and Saturday at the Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester. A funeral Mass will be 2 p.m. Monday at the C-J-I High School gymnasium in Chester. A reception will follow at St. Mary’s Church basement. Memorials may be given to the Hi-Line Pool and Rec Foundation the Hi-Line Health Foundation or the “Gift of Life” in Great Falls. Survivors include her husband of 26 years, Steve Hamel of Chester; two sons, Will and Michael Hamel of Chester; her mother, Diane Walker of Floweree; two brothers, James (Shannon) and Bruce Walker of Floweree; and her in-laws, Bill and Billie Hamel of Chester. Richie was preceded in death by her father, (Hal “Sonny” Walker); and an infant sister, (Jane Marie Walker).
