Carol Shope, age 72 of Helena

On the 4^th of September, 2023, Carol Ann (Schwend) Shope died, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s.  She was 72 years old.

Carol was predeceased by her parents, Genevieve (Derudder) and Clifford Schwend, her first husband, Donald Fowler, and her step-daughter, Tressa Shope.  She is survived by her husband James Shope, her sisters Claudia (Schwend) Elliot and Sherry Schwend, her children Lucas, Felicia, Travis, Ty, Tia, their spouses and her grandkids: Bianca, Donny, Violet, Nyah, Alex, Zach, Abby, Hayden, Ryan, Nate, Kendra Kelcie, Keston, Tatum, and Memphis.

Carol was born on November 15, 1950 to Genevieve and Clifford Schwend in Bridger, MT.  She was the middle sister to Claudia and Sherry.

Carol spent her early years in Bridger, MT.  She was the fourth generation of Schwend’s to call south central Montana home.  In high school, she moved with her family to Billings, MT where her father continued to work for Montana Power Company, a job he would hold for 44 years.  Clifford liked to call her “Murt” which was short for Murtle, a nickname she had at the time.  Her mother, an incredible seamstress, passed along her knowledge of the craft to all three daughters.  Carol won a Singer sewing machine in a Make it With Wool sewing contest in 1968, a machine that she used to great effect until Parkinson’s stole her ability to continue to sew.

After spending two years at Senior High in Billings, MT, where she was on the cheer squad and ran track and field, Carol graduated and began attending Eastern Montana College (now MSU Billings).  When she decided to pursue physical therapy, Carol transferred to the University of Montana.  Upon finishing her undergrad, she continued her education at the School of Physical Therapy at the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles.

Carol spent her entire working life as a physical therapist.  From her time at Wheatland Memorial in Harlowton, MT where she started an entire physical therapy department to her time in Helena, MT at St. Pete’s, Carol had a very successful career.  She was perhaps underutilized at some points, a fact realized by the visiting surgeon in Harlowton.  When he noticed her intelligence and skill, he put her to work in the operating room as his assistant.  She continued to excel in Helena becoming a specialist dealing with incontinence issues for women.  Although she would not brag, she was loved by both her patients and her colleagues. She retired in 2015 after she could no longer work due to her worsening symptoms from Parkinson’s.

During her time in Missoula, she met her first husband, Donald Fowler.  They were married in 1973 and were together for 19 years.  Their early years found them living everywhere from Africa to Los Angeles.  After living in California for a time, they spent 18 months serving in the Peace Corps in Tunis, Tunisia. They eventually settled in Phillipsburg, MT.  There Donald and Carol had their first child, Lucas.  Donald’s work in the Forest Service took them to Harlowton, MT where they had their second child, Felicia.

Throughout her time in both Phillipsburg and Harlowton, Carol became an ardent lover of the outdoors.  She spent time cross country skiing, backpacking, hiking, and cycling.  She also pursued a minor career on stage at several talent shows.  Just a sampling of her lip-syncing prowess includes a group performance as the Blackwood Brothers and a solo outing as Garth Brooks where her son may or may not have broken her finger in a stunt containing an old guitar and a baseball bat.

Her marriage to Donald came to a close in 1992.  Donald continued to live in Harlowton until his death in 2013.

In 1994, Carol married James (Jim) Shope who was her partner for 29 years until her death. Jim had four children from his previous marriage to Jan Smitham: Travis, Ty, Tressa, and Tia.  Carol moved in with Jim and his children in Helena, MT with her daughter, Felicia.  Her son Lucas continued to live in Harlowton with his dad, Donald.  Carol and Jim originally met in 1969 when her sister Claudia brought home her soon-to-be husband, Ross Elliot, who had his friend, Jim, with him.

After their marriage, Jim and Carol soon had a house built in East Helena where they remained until Parkinson’s made it unsafe for Carol to navigate stairs. Together, they enjoyed the outdoors, floating on the Missouri river, backpacking in the Crazy Mountains, fishing and hiking all over central Montana. They cherished time with children, grandchildren and friends from church.

Although Carol grew up in a Catholic home, she eventually landed in the evangelical tradition.  The Assembly of God church, Harlowton Faith Chapel, was where she worshiped for many years before landing at Neighborhood (now Bridge) Assembly in Helena.  Her faith was a defining part of her life, informing all her actions and shaping her relationships.  It was the guide she used when making almost every decision.  It brought her together in a community that shared her beliefs.  Her faith gave her a framework for her world, and it allowed her to have a place for everything and every person.

In her 50s, Carol was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.  Carol lived for many years under the care of her husband, Jim. Through these years, Jim’s unwavering patience, love and compassion for his wife has been truly exceptional.  Many people helped her during the difficult final years, including Carol Taylor, the staff at Renaissance, and the wonderful ladies who came every week to visit. However, this devastating disease would ultimately steal from Carol every single thing that made her life worth living. No more enjoying the outdoors.  No more tasting food.  No more sewing or cooking.  She lost her ability to go and visit her grandkids that lived on the east coast.  She lost her freedom to move.  She lost her laugh.  And as dementia came into the picture, she began to lose her mental life as well.  No part of her world was not devastated throughout the course of this disease.  And finally, in the end, the disease took her very life.

On September 23^rd, we want to come together to remember that life in all of its ups and downs – both her courageous fight against a terrible disease, but importantly, all the years where she was not defined by illness.

Please join us as we remember Carol and share stories, food and community at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 23^rd  in the chapel at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home , 3750 N. Montana Avenue. This will be followed by a time to share stories and food in the reception area.  We will have a microphone available for anyone who would like to share a memory of Carol while we enjoy a light meal. If you would like, please bring a potluck dessert to share, as especially in her later years, Carol would never say no to something sweet.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Carol’s memory to the following non-profit organizations: Checks can be mailed, or donations made online: Montana Audubon, Attn: Main Office, PO Box 595, Helena, MT 59264, The Parkinson’s Foundation, Attn: Donor Services, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131

The Loving Family of Carol Schwend Shope.

Service Schedule

Memorial Service

1:00 p.m.

Saturday September 23, 2023

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 North Montana Ave

Helena, Montana 59602

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Reception

Following the Memorial Service

Saturday September 23, 2023

Anderson Stecenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 North Montana Ave

Helena, Montana 59602

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