Obituary for Kaidi Widdicombe
Kaidi Widdicombe passed away in her sleep on the morning of June 23, 2020. She wanted to live to 100 but imagine what progress she has seen in her 92 years!
Kaidi was the adopted daughter of Sherman Reese Hoyt and Charlotte Hayes Blake Hoyt of Connecticut, born November 16, 1927. She was adventurous at a young age. At 15, she came out west to Colorado and worked for the Forest Service in taking people on trail rides. At 16, she came to Montana, working on the Hart Ranch. It was at that time she was photographed for a major travel ad campaign, wearing chaps preparing for a ride. She attended Sarah Lawrence College, returning to Montana to continue her adventure. This time period is when she met her first husband, a local rancher named Percy Lavold and is survived by their two daughters, Charlotte Curran and Susan Lavold. After Percy’s death, Kaidi met and married Joseph Widdicombe and they had three daughters, Kathy (Widdicombe) Banks, Keli (Widdicombe) Fogle and Ranna (Widdicombe) McCauley. Joe passed away last year. Kaidi is also predeceased by her brother John Hoyt.
Kaidi was a true artist and applied her talents in many fields. She loved gardening, growing food and vegetables, as well as flowers wherever the family lived. She loved painting and nurtured her talent with classes and practice. She worked with pastels, and oils and created beautiful paintings that hung in the family home. Her daughters all share her artistic talent. Knitting was a favorite pastime, as was sewing. She loved miniatures and would knit little dolls the most amazing sweaters. They were also the best dressed dolls anywhere. She made much of her daughters’ clothing, with limited time available to a mother of 5 girls. Kaidi grew up with dogs and horses and her household usually included a few of those as well as a cat or three. There were always books around her and, as an avid reader, she amassed quite a collection. The topics varied far and wide. She had an interest in different countries, including England, Scotland and she loved Princess Di. Most of her time was spent as a homemaker but she did return to work for the Forest Service while in Libby in the 70s. She helped plant trees in areas affected by clear cutting. She loved the work, with plants and the outdoors.
She loved to travel and the family took many vacations throughout the west. She also encouraged her children to travel, sending them to summer camps and providing senior trips. Kaidi took many trips herself as long as her health allowed. Several medical issues late in life limited her mobility so she remained much closer to home. She still took long walks and tended her rosebushes and small garden. She was small in stature but strong in opinion and loved visiting with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Kaidi wished to be cremated and her cremains will be buried next to Joe at Mountain View Cemetery in Big Timber. A celebration of her life will be held 11:00 am Saturday July 18th at Stenberg Funeral Home. Social spacing is required and as a result of Covid 19, we suggest bringing masks if you prefer to wear them.
Kaidi was the adopted daughter of Sherman Reese Hoyt and Charlotte Hayes Blake Hoyt of Connecticut, born November 16, 1927. She was adventurous at a young age. At 15, she came out west to Colorado and worked for the Forest Service in taking people on trail rides. At 16, she came to Montana, working on the Hart Ranch. It was at that time she was photographed for a major travel ad campaign, wearing chaps preparing for a ride. She attended Sarah Lawrence College, returning to Montana to continue her adventure. This time period is when she met her first husband, a local rancher named Percy Lavold and is survived by their two daughters, Charlotte Curran and Susan Lavold. After Percy’s death, Kaidi met and married Joseph Widdicombe and they had three daughters, Kathy (Widdicombe) Banks, Keli (Widdicombe) Fogle and Ranna (Widdicombe) McCauley. Joe passed away last year. Kaidi is also predeceased by her brother John Hoyt.
Kaidi was a true artist and applied her talents in many fields. She loved gardening, growing food and vegetables, as well as flowers wherever the family lived. She loved painting and nurtured her talent with classes and practice. She worked with pastels, and oils and created beautiful paintings that hung in the family home. Her daughters all share her artistic talent. Knitting was a favorite pastime, as was sewing. She loved miniatures and would knit little dolls the most amazing sweaters. They were also the best dressed dolls anywhere. She made much of her daughters’ clothing, with limited time available to a mother of 5 girls. Kaidi grew up with dogs and horses and her household usually included a few of those as well as a cat or three. There were always books around her and, as an avid reader, she amassed quite a collection. The topics varied far and wide. She had an interest in different countries, including England, Scotland and she loved Princess Di. Most of her time was spent as a homemaker but she did return to work for the Forest Service while in Libby in the 70s. She helped plant trees in areas affected by clear cutting. She loved the work, with plants and the outdoors.
She loved to travel and the family took many vacations throughout the west. She also encouraged her children to travel, sending them to summer camps and providing senior trips. Kaidi took many trips herself as long as her health allowed. Several medical issues late in life limited her mobility so she remained much closer to home. She still took long walks and tended her rosebushes and small garden. She was small in stature but strong in opinion and loved visiting with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Kaidi wished to be cremated and her cremains will be buried next to Joe at Mountain View Cemetery in Big Timber. A celebration of her life will be held 11:00 am Saturday July 18th at Stenberg Funeral Home. Social spacing is required and as a result of Covid 19, we suggest bringing masks if you prefer to wear them.
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Previous Events
Memorial Service
Saturday
18
Jul
11:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
Stenberg Funeral Home
215 Anderson Street
PO Box 723
Big Timber, MT 59011
Cemetery Details
Location
Mountain View Cemetery
West of Big Timber
Big Timber, MT 59011
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