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Longtime Montana State University Billings English professor Sue Hart, admired for her sharp eye and ability to bring people together, died Monday morning in Livingston. She was 78.

With her four children and her husband, Richard Wheeler, at her bedside, Hart died just after 3 a.m. on Monday. She retired in May 2013 after teaching at MSUB since 1961.

Hart’s family is holding a memorial service and vigil on Thursday at Petro Theatre at MSUB beginning at 3 p.m. and followed by a gathering at the Rimrock Cafe next to Petro.

Friends and colleagues are encouraged to come and share memories of Hart. Billings writer Craig Lancaster will speak at the service and a priest will offer a prayer.

A mass is also planned for noon Friday at St. Patrick’s Co-Cathedral in Billings.

Hart was admired by many for her writing and editing skills, but her real passion was teaching and sharing her knowledge of Montana writers. Seattle author Ivan Doig, who was born in Montana, said Monday that Hart knew much about Montana literature.