Melody Lee (Sweeney) Pomatto went to be with her Lord on Dec. 26, 2013, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Melody was born July 19, 1947, in Helena. She graduated from Helena High School in 1965 and then briefly moved to Seattle with her mother. During that time, she married and gave birth to her son, Michael James Bailey. A few years later, she returned to Helena. In 1977, she married the love of her life, Roger Pomatto, with whom she spent 36 happy years. Melody worked for the Montana Highway Patrol, where she remained until retirement.

Melody loved to spend time with her family and friends, hunting, fishing and camping.

Melody was a devoted servant of the Lord and will be remembered as dedicated and active member of her church and captain of the prayer chain. She will also be remembered by her family and friends for her fun-loving spirit and her love of butterflies.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Lorna Mae Cox; father, Charles Sweeney; brother, Larry James Sweeney; and son, Michael Bailey. She is survived by her husband, Roger Pomatto; aunts and cousins; and several stepchildren, step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild.

Public viewing hours will begin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church, 3384 Canyon Ferry Road, East Helena, with funeral services to be held at 1 p.m. at the church. Burial will take place at Forestvale Cemetery in Helena. A reception will be held in the social center of the church immediately following the burial. Memorials in Melody’s name can be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.