Lois "Sally" DuMontier Mitchell

Lois Joyce Haroldine “Sally” DuMontier Mitchell was called to the next camp on Friday, May 10th, 2024 in Saint Ignatius, Montana. She was 92.

She was born to Harold and Louise (McDonald) DuMontier on December 16th, 1931 in St. Ignatius, Montana at Holy Family Hospital. Upon graduation from St. Ignatius High School, Sally lived in Spokane, Washington where she worked at Gyger Air Force Base. It was through this employment that she was able to purchase a vehicle that allowed her to travel back home to the Reservation. Siblings recall anticipating her return for the holidays when she would come bearing gifts; it wasn’t officially Christmas until she came home. Later, Sally extended her home to family gatherings during all seasons and was caretaker to all. Her kinship ties were not only blood relatives; many know and feel the deep familial connection they have with Auntie Sally.

Sally was a resilient woman. She miraculously reversed diabetes; she survived a pandemic; she lived through a world war; and she would brave the elements while whistling, humming, and singing through her beloved Mission Mountains. She was an adventurer that followed the seasonal round.

An enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Sally loyally devoted her life to Tribal youth through various programs, serving as Home School Coordinator for the Mission Schools. She would often find herself at the bedroom door (or window) of her students to ensure they were fed and made it to school on time. Many attribute their successes in school to Grandma Sally.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Louise (McDonald) DuMontier; brothers, Harold Jr. and Joseph “Bud” DuMontier; sisters, Gloria Gail Smith and Delores “Deedo” DuMontier; nieces, Pauletta Faye O’Neill and Raelyn DuMontier; nephews, Mark DuMontier, Joey DuMontier, Micah Hoskinson, and Christopher DuMontier; son, Damon Mitchell; and grandson, Isiah Russell.

She is survived by her brothers, Reginald “Speed” DuMontier and James “Jimmy” DuMontier; sister, Debra “Debbie” Courville (Wayne Coleman) of Pablo; daughters, Christine “Cricki” Old Coyote (Alvin) of St. Ignatius and Kimberly McDonald-Markuson; grandchildren, Cydrese “Reese” Hendrickx (Marlene), Rebecca Hendrickx, Cedric Russell, Avery Old Coyote, Camaleigh Old Coyote, Bradley Mitchell (Patience) of Pablo, Elijah Lefthand, and Gloria DeLaney Markuson; great grandchildren, Holden Old Coyote-Fitzpatrick, Elenor, Dorian, & Clover Mitchell, Basil & Lucas Russell, and Leilani Russell; God-Child, Morgan Schultz; and a large extended family of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Rosary will be held on Monday, May 13th, 2024 at 8 pm at the Longhouse in St. Ignatius, Montana. Mass and funeral services will begin at 10 am on Tuesday, May 14th 2024 at the St. Ignatius Catholic Mission in St. Ignatius, Montana.

Given Sally’s dedication to education, her family began a scholarship in her name for Native scholars and academics. Contributions to the scholarship and other donations can be made to:

Sally’s Scholars

P.O. Box 812

St. Ignatius, Montana 59865

The family would like to give a special thanks to Partners hospice team, CSKT Tribal Health and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. We also would like to give an extra thank you to Kianna Finley for her compassion and friendship given to 

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