Marlene Ann LaShomb

Marlene Ann (Marlenea) La Shomb, of Emigrant, MT, passed away unexpectedly in early 2025 at the age of 66. She was a fixture in the Bozeman, Livingston, and Paradise Valley communities since the late 1980s, after finding her forever home there amongst the nation’s most wild, rugged, and beautiful mountains and people.

Born in Massachusetts, Marlenea spent her childhood years with her family in Arizona before pointing her compass northward and striking out to make her own way. Beautiful, talented, hardworking, and full of spirit, Marlenea maneuvered through California, Washington, Idaho, and Utah before settling in Paradise Valley. A forever-student with a lust for life and always ready to give back more than she received, Marlenea connected with people and engaged in culture everywhere she went. True to herself, she bypassed normal life to chase down and fulfill her many passions. After raising her children, she continued to pursue education and training at every level – with her primary interest being in human health and in helping others. Connection and healing have always been a calling for her with decades spent in therapeutic massage, health coaching, as a naturopathic doctor, and as a renowned foot-zone therapist. In addition, she had joy-filled detours into many various opportunities of interest, such as: snowplowing, floral design, photography, roofing, gardening, landscaping, early childhood education, equine massage, quilting, wood working, and many more – always, to each one, she approached it with energy, passion, and intention and brought with her a flair, artistry, and structure that was beneficial, attractive, built to last, and incorporated elements of reuse and recycle.

A romantic, awestruck by Montana’s untamed mountains, Marlenea staked her claim and built her Dome high up in the Gallatin Range, looking east over Paradise Valley to Emigrant Peak and the adjoining Beartooth Mountains. In perfect rhythm with the inhospitable landscape, in summer, Marlenea could be found wind swept, sun-kissed, and barefoot in the garden, and, in winter, writing, sewing, and creating near her cozy fire. Her twinkling eyes absorbed and reflected all the beauty the world had to offer; her heart was her guide that led her North and taught her to serve the community around her; and her mind seemed to bubble-over with never-ending ideas and visions for the future and a better tomorrow.

Marlenea was truly one of a kind and will be dearly missed. She was a loving mother to Jessica Turley, Jocelyn Brown, Meshia Peltier, and Vincent McIntyre; a loving mother-in-law to Kelly Brown Sr., Robert M. Turley, Zach Peltier Sr. and Randi McIntyre; and a loving grandmother to Robert J. Turley, Connor Turley, Mistee Brown, Derek Brown, Aubrey Gormley, Violet Brown, Leina Peltier, Kelly Brown Jr., Zach Peltier Jr., Madelynn McIntyre, Sydnee McIntyre, and Charlotte McIntyre. Marlenea was preceded in death by her father, Earl La Shomb, her son-in-law, Robert M. Turley, and her two grandsons – Derek Brown and Robert J. Turley. She is survived by her children and remaining grandchildren, along with her mother and siblings in Arizona: Mia Charland, Paul La Shomb, Donna La Shomb, Jackie La Shomb, Ed La Shomb, and Claire La Shomb. Her family was her greatest pride in life and she beautifully decorated her home with pictures and keepsakes to ensure they were always with her, no matter the distance.

Marlenea passed away peacefully doing what she loved and in her most favorite place in the world – her home; surrounded by memories of her loved ones and in front of a warm fire. A small gathering was held by close friends and family in her honor and her ashes were spread across Paradise Valley by a westerly winter wind.

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