Mary (Leishman) Driscoll (by Alison Meslin, 2006)

During the first meeting of the BAA, January 9th, 2006, Mary stepped forward to offer her help in obtaining a new and expanded Tribal lease for the fire hall.  She was immediately appointed BAA’s Tribal Liaison Leader and has since spent many hours using her knowledge and connections in Tribal government to successfully acquire for the village of Big Arm a brand new 25 year renewable lease and permission to connect to the Tribal water system.

Mary Peggy Leishman was born in St. Ignatius hospital and was raised on a ranch in Charlo.  Her mother Helen Matt Leishman has a Salish heritage whose grandfather was moved to the Reservation from the Bitterroot Valley.  Mary’s father, Eugene Kerr Leishman was born in Drummond, MT with a Scottish Heritage.  After attending Charlo high school Mary went to New York City to work in a Manhattan Real Estate office.  On one of her trips back home to a school reunion she met her future husband Michael Stanley Driscoll.  Michael’s parents were first generation Americans with Irish and Dutch/German parents that homesteaded in the Charlo area.  After a 1989 wedding Mike and Mary returned to his job in the Alaskan oil fields making their home in Kenai.  They have 3 children Michael Miller (Fort Worth Texas), Rachel Anne (Sophomore Polson H.S.) and Emmerett (Emmy) Helen (5th grade Polson M.S.).  In 1999 they purchased lake front property in Big Arm and moved permanently when Mike retired in 2002.   Mary works in Economic Development for S&K Holdings.  Mary deeply appreciates the life and family God has given her and firmly believes that when people work together much can be accomplished.