Staci A. Vail

Staci A. Vail slipped the bonds of earth ‘to touch the face of God’ on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, as her physical body said it was time to rest from her determined and courageous ten-year battle with cancer. Staci saw life as an adventure and made the most of it, often getting her friends to join in whether it be a trip, a concert or just meeting for coffee. She would admit she was not perfect, but she put her utmost in her relationships with friends and family. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Staci was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, the daughter of military parents. She lived in a variety of places growing up but always considered Rhode Island where she spent her early years as home. As a young girl, her mother encouraged her to take up figure skating, which she excelled at becoming a national competitor, instructor and eventually a judge for younger competitors who were just starting out. For many years she skated with Disney On Ice, sometimes playing three or four characters in a production. 

In addition to skating, Staci enjoyed working with animal rescue organizations as a foster parent to 1000’s of kittens over the years as well as helping to organize fundraising events. She especially enjoyed traveling internationally. One of her highlights was a trip to Kenya, Tanzania and the Serengeti in Africa where she saw all the “Big Five” game animals in the wild. 

At the time of her diagnosis, she became an avid quilter. She enjoyed many quilting retreats where she met new people, learned new ideas and techniques. One of her greatest joys was giving quilt projects to friends and family including the Otto Kline Cancer Center at St. Joseph Medical Center where she did many treatments after moving to Polson. Giving gifts was her love language. She shopped for Christmas all year long. 

After her marriage to Dave, she became an avid basketball fan while and after he was coaching. She adopted many basketball teams along the way including the Michigan State University men’s team where attended and taught skating and the Colorado Buffalo women’s team. It was the Gonzaga women’s team that was her favorite. She and Dave had the opportunity to travel and see the Zags play in Mexico and in many conference tournaments in Las Vegas. She held a special relationship with many in the athletic department at Gonzaga. Having been a competitor she understood the ups and downs of athletic life.

Throughout her cancer journey she was blessed with remarkable doctors, nurses and caregivers in Spokane, Seattle, Phoenix and Polson. Each of them encouraged her to continue to live life as an adventurer and she took her cancer journey on as an adventure. She was at peace knowing that in the end, through her faith, she would be free and healed.

 A celebration of life luncheon for Staci will be held on September 17th at 11:30am at Polson Community Church 1814 1st St. E., Polson, MT. 59860. 

Memorials may be sent to Cheerful Heart, Inc. PO. Box 688, Polson, MT. 59860 which is a non-profit located in Polson, MT that provides non-medical services free of charge to Lake County cancer patients who are currently in cancer treatment, or to a charity or animal rescue of your choice.