Carol English

Carol Stephenson English of Dillon, Montana passed away peacefully at the age of 85 surrounded by family on September 30, 2014.   Carol was the love and light of her family. She lived a life filled with grace, kindness, faith and joy and was a shining example that living is loving. She was born February 12, 1929 in Benge, Washington to William and Bertha Stephenson. She grew up during the depression era with her siblings Merna and Marvin in the wheat lands of eastern Washington. The hard work and challenging times that shaped her life there helped make her a blessing to the many lives she touched. Her family later moved to Portland, Oregon, where she graduated from high school. Carol went on to attend Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon where she was a journalism major. It was there that she met the love of her life, Robert English, a naval reservist attending optometry college on the GI Bill. They married on November 24, 1948 just a few months before her 20th birthday. While in Forest Grove she worked as the society editor for the Forest Grove News-Times. After a year in Sidney, Montana, Carol and Bob moved to Dillon in 1953 and took over an optometry practice. In Dillon they raised seven children and served the community and their beloved St. James Episcopal Church. Over the past 60 years, Carol was active in many organizations including Eastern Star, Rainbow Girls, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Barrett Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, bridge clubs (one for 49 years) and the American Optometric and Montana Optometric Auxiliaries. She was a past president of Montana State PEO, serving in 1991-92, and a near 50 year member of PEO Chapter AD in Dillon. Her PEO sisters were near and dear to her heart.  She was the Dillon Jaycee Auxiliary's Outstanding Woman of the Year in 1991.  In addition she was an accomplished seamstress, loved to cook for her family and friends, and worked as bookkeeper for her husband's practice. In 1990 Bob lost his battle with cancer. She continued with courage, unselfishness, and great strength despite a debilitating car accident in 1994 where she nearly lost her life. God gave her the gift of an incredible memory and she became the family's treasured historian.   She was blessed to share many special friendships throughout her lifetime (including the multiple honorary Aunts and Uncles to her children).   She is survived by her children- Susan (Scott Dahmer), Michael (Natalie), Christina, John, Miriam (Mike Walters), and Stephen; her grandchildren- Erik Dahmer (Brea Schwartz), Lauren (Jake Parks), Ross Dahmer, Sarah Jakkola, Katie (Robert Eisenstein), Rachel (Cody Hankinson), Michael RJ, Randy (Kirsten), Alex, Reilly, Rebekka, Andrew, JD Hill (Nichole), Heather Hill, Robby, Emma, Jenny, Wyatt Walters, and Ella Kay Carol Walters; her great grandchildren- Reese, Tauryn, Brayden, Christian, Caylah, Nicholas, Isabella, Brooke, Ayden and two more on the way. She enjoyed a close relationship with Bob's brother Bert's family"”Sharon (deceased), Danny, Diana, Toby, Andrew and Matt. Carol shared a special lifelong bond with her "Sissy" Merna.   She was very fond of her sister-in-law, Ursula Stephenson of Geneva Switzerland, in addition to many close nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, daughter Joan, brother Marvin, granddaughter Rydel and parents William and Bertha. A joyful celebration of her life will take place at Saint James Episcopal Church, 203 Glendale St, Dillon on Monday, October 13, 2014 at 11 am, reception to follow.  Memorials may be made to the Robert and Carol English Memorial Scholarship Fund at University of Montana-Western. C/O UM Western Foundation 710 South Atlantic St Dillon, MT 59725.                                   God Speed Mom!