East Helena Obituary: Cherish Elizabeth Hand
Author: Family of Cherish Elizabeth Hand
Cherish Elizabeth Hand
Family of Cherish Elizabeth Hand
The family of Cherish Elizabeth Hand (McMahan) is deeply saddened to announce her passing on March 2nd, 2026, in Great Falls, Montana.
Born on April 28th, 1978, in Arcaida, California, to Glen and Carolyn McMahan, she was the middle child. Cherish had two siblings, her older brother Rick McMahan and younger brother Dan McMahan.
Her childhood was filled with fishing, exploring the outdoors, and raising chickens. From the time she was a little girl, she loved animals, babies, the outdoors, her family, and crafting. She was extremely remarkable in her love, care, and dedication to others, and loved being a sister.
Cherish taught her youngest brother, Dan, how to read and even made up a sign language for the two of them to communicate with. She was outstanding in every aspect of the word.
Cherish lived a full and remarkable life, touching the hearts of everyone she met through her compassionate work as a nurse. She graduated from the College of the Redwoods School of Nursing in 1993 and went on to begin her nursing career in Southeast Alaska before continuing her service in Montana.
Cherish moved to Wrangell, Alaska, with her newlywed husband to start their life and first adventure together in the summer of 1993. She immediately fell in love with the pristine wilderness of Southeast Alaska and immersed herself in the community. She worked as an LPN at the Wrangell hospital, made communion bread every Sunday for our Island of Faith, Lutheran Church, of which the family was a member.
Cherish became a self-taught photographer and took great joy in capturing the beauty and life all around her. She took her kiddos beachcombing, to playdates, TotGym, and exploring our island. She learned how to make fireweed honey, grow a garden, make sourdough bread, and became the best chef a family could ever ask for. She was on the water as much as she possibly could, and our family was often spotted on the search for king salmon, halibut, and Dungeness crab. She had a funny habit of always out-fishing our dad and had a highly competitive spirit.
Cherish was a generous, kind, loving, and giving soul. She would make anyone feel heard, seen, valued, and supported. She gave herself in full to everyone, but especially her family. She showed us what true love, kindness, faith, and gratitude mean. She was the best mama, and we will miss her forever.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Brett Hand; her three children, Ashlyne Buhl (Justin Buhl), Ally Hand, and Jared Hand; and her father, Glen McMahan. She is also survived by her brother, Rick McMahan (Katrina), and their children, Ricky, Jeffrey, Ben, Samuel, Emma, and Ezera. She is further survived by her brother, Dan McMahan (Andrea), and their children, Sylvester, Danny, and Hannah McMahan.
She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Angela Sternberg (Ken Sternberg), and their children, Alex Sternberg, Derek Hand (Becca Hand), and their son, Raiden Hand. She is additionally survived by her brother-in-law, Trey Hand (Amy Hand), and their children, Emma (Joe Kunkleman) and Ethan Hand. She will also be dearly missed by many cherished cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, and extended family members.
A memorial service will be held in Helena on March 19th, 2026, at 10:00 AM. A celebration of life and potluck will follow at the Helena Valley Community Center. The family thanks the Great Falls Benefis ICU staff for their compassion and care.
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