Tressa Teal (Shope) Sargent of East Helena passed away peacefully in her home on Aug. 21, 2009, after an extended battle with cancer at the age of 33. She left this world being held and comforted by loved ones.

Tressa worked early in her career in the mental health field, assisting troubled children and teaching adult-living skills to young adults. She gave up her career to become a homemaker when her first child was born.

Tressa loved children and spending time with family and friends. She also loved pottery, arts and crafts, going to movies and good music. Tressa never missed a game or a dance performance that one of her kids was involved in or one of her nephews if she could help it. She considered each of these events as singularly important and always did her best to make them special. Tressa loved family outings and family get-togethers and holidays.

She is survived by her husband, Ken Sargent; and their four children, Nate, 10, Kendra, 6, Kelcie, 4, and Keston, 3. She is also survived by her mother, Jan Smitham of Carson City, Nev.; her father, James Shope of East Helena and his wife, Carol Schwend Shope; her brothers, Travis Shope of Lacey, Wash., and Tyron Shope of Bismark, N.D.; her sister Tia Shope of Carson City; and nephews, Joe Maness, Cody Maness, Wiley Sargent-Squires, Zack Noll, Alex Noll and Hayden Shope; as well as nieces, Tatum Wood, Abigail Shope, Rhyan Teal Shope and Nyah Tressa Shope, who is due to join the family in December; and her grandfather, John Giulio Jr. of Columbia Falls.

She is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Scott Sargent of East Helena, Melissa Shope of Bismark, Lori Shope of Lacy, Lynn Maness of East Helena and Troy Maness of East Helena; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, and a plethora of friends.

A private family viewing will be held at Retz Funeral Home on Monday, Aug. 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. A service is planned for Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 11 a.m. at the Neighborhood Assembly of God Church, 2475 Stuart. Arrangements are under the care of Retz Funeral Home.

Go with God, Tressa. We will love you always and miss you dearly.

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