Carol Ann Styger, “Green Grandma,” 70, of Thompson Falls, passed away on Sept. 10, 2014, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center as a result of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. She was the third of nine children born to Mary C. and Erin J. Brown on April 2, 1944, in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.
Raised in Saint John, NB, Carol was the self-proclaimed “wild one of the bunch.” She graduated from Simonds Regional High School, where she was active in the school newspaper and drama club. She also enjoyed ice skating and playing broomball.
She married James (Jim) Doherty in 1963. They were blessed with two sons, James and Michael. They lived in Salem, NH, where she worked as a seamstress while Jim was a harness racer at Rockingham Park and seasonally at Foxboro Raceway in Massachusetts.
Carol and her sons moved to Montana in 1976, making their home in Thompson Falls. She married Jerry (JD) Deal in May 1978 and they welcomed three children: Kerri, Kelly and Jay. Here Carol could be found cooking up a storm, sewing clever Halloween costumes, cheering at sporting events, garage sale-ing to find a bargain, or working tirelessly at 4-H functions.
In February 2007, Carol and Gale Styger were married in Turah, Montana and soon returned to live in Thompson Falls.
Carol worked at the Sanders County Ledger for many years, serving as a frameworks and sign maker, editor, and photo developer. She made many life-long friends here and enjoyed using her creativity at work: writing catchy riddles, picking color combinations or partaking in co-worker pranks.
Most recently, Carol worked at Ace Hardware in Thompson Falls. She thoroughly enjoyed the customers who came to see her, knew everyone by name, and always made time to say hello.
Carol also was an active and dedicated member of the Thompson Falls Toastmasters club, where she was known for her humorous speeches. She truly enjoyed the challenges and friendships gained here. Her humor and kindness brightened the lives of friends and strangers alike.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Gale, and their grandson Ashton; five children: son James (Jodie) Doherty Jr. of Hurleyville, NY; son Michael Doherty of Monticello, NY; daughter Kerri Deal of Hermiston, OR; daughter Kelly (Theron) Pavlik of Manhattan, MT; son Jay (Ericka) Deal of Lewistown, MT, and 11 grandchildren: Christopher, Laura, Jamie, Kaitlyn, Morgan, Addyson, Tyson, Cadence, Easton, Clancy and Devin; four step-children: daughters Desirea (Casey) Chamberlin and Dawna Styger of Oregon; sons Jace Styger and Troy Styger of Missoula, MT, and four additional grandchildren: Avery, Ashton, Melanie, and Aspen.
Carol is also survived by all eight of her siblings: William (Jeanette) Brown of Saint John, NB; Sheila (Jerry) Chipman of Kalispell, MT; Erin (Maxine) Brown of Lloydminster, AB; Stephen (Martha) Brown of Salmon River, NB; Susan Brown of Reston, VA; Gregory (Mary Ann) Brown of Fredericton, NB; Robert Brown of Fort McMurray, AB; Sarah (David) MacLean of Valley, NS.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Elks Lodge in Thompson Falls. She is under the care of Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Condolences may be shared online at www.buffalohillfh.com .
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to an Education Savings Account that has been set up for her grandchildren at First Security Bank in Thompson Falls.
“Green Grandma, we will always carry your memory in our hearts and share it over a good cup of tea.”