Carole Mae (Ford) Wallace, 89, was born to Floyd and Edythe (Martel) Ford in Bozeman, Mont., and passed away in Gilbert, Ari., on Feb. 18, 2024.

She spent most of her school years in Coos Bay/North Bend, Ore., and participated in Glee Club and in volleyball as the captain. She was also active in Job’s Daughters and served as the queen.

Carole followed in her father’s footsteps working in the grocery business which eventually led to her meeting the love of her life, Lee Wallace, while working as a meat wrapper at Safeway in Burns. They enjoyed 51 1⁄2 happy years together until he passed last year.

Since Safeway wouldn’t allow spouses to work together, this little 5 foot 2 inch energetic lady got a job working for the Edward Hines Lumber Company pulling lumber. Later the job they both enjoyed the most was working at their own business we all called “The Shop” (Lee’s Custom Cutting) for almost 30 years. Besides cutting and wrapping meat for ranchers and game during hunting season they also added on a little Mom & Pop store. Their grandchildren especially loved all the candy!

In 1996 they retired to Sunland Village in Mesa, Ariz., leaving the Oregon desert for the Arizona desert.

Carole’s love language was definitely acts of service. She loved serving others as a member of the Pioneer Presbyterian Church in Burns and later Church of the Master Presbyterian in Mesa. She volunteered in many community organizations such as the Nile Club, Eastern Star, sorority, working with the Harney County Fair Court or in a booth. Once retired she not only cared for her family but also neighbors and friends in Sunland Village delivering homemade soup to the sick/elderly and taking care of their pets and yards when they were away. She also volunteered at Banner Baywood Hospital.

Carole enjoyed all the camping trips on Emigrant Creek gathering together with family and friends. She was a big animal lover and they always had a cat or dog or both. She loved to cook but especially to bake lots of goodies and was always trying new recipes. Carole loved gardening and would plant many flowers wherever she lived. They even receiving an award for their beautiful yard in Burns. She was always crafting, including crochet, sewing, tole painting, ceramics, and cross stitch but her favorite was knitting, especially beautiful baby afghans and outfits. They traveled to Hawaii and Alaska with dear friends Mac & Rosie Runnels but her dream trip was when they drove clear across the United States in their motor home!

Carole was cute, hardworking, caring, brave, strong, sassy, silly, vivacious, fun loving, humble, friendly, and a joy to those that knew her. She kept us laughing right up until the end. Beautiful both inside and out she had a smile that could light up the room and an infectious laugh that will be dearly missed. She was the mom/grandma so many expressed they wished they had and we were so blessed to be a part of her family.

Carole is survived by her daughters, Vicki (Hill) Donovan and husband, Walt, of Chandler, Ariz., and Jimi Jeanette (Hill) Vickers of Eugene, Ore.; granddaughters, Trinity Donovan of Chandler, Ariz., and Tara Donovan and husband, Matt Gaskalla of Playa del Rey, Cali.; grandson, Travis Donovan of Chandler, Ariz.; great-granddaughters, Micah and Naomi; stepdaughters, Jan and Linda Wallace, and Teresa Wolf; five step-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren.

Her graveside service was held for family only at Mountain View Cemetery with a beautiful release of doves where she was laid to rest with Lee on March 23, 2024. Donations may be made in Carole’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association. Cards may be sent to Vicki Donovan, PO Box 7078, Chandler, AZ 85224.