Carolyn Smith Straub passed peacefully, filled with the love of her husband, Delbert “Del” Straub, and her family, on Aug. 19, 2012, in Helena.
Carolyn was born Jan. 20, 1941, in Charlotte, N. C., to Lafayette Carl Smith and Carolyn Lucille Dollason. She was the only child and the family eventually moved to Birmingham, Ala., where she met her high school sweetheart, Del, as a teenager at Ramsey High School. The two dated for a year and then were married in Birmingham in 1959.
Carolyn attended Auburn University (WAR EAGLE!) for two years.
Carolyn worked and enjoyed many professions, including the director of skiing for the U.S. Armed Forces in Neu Ulm and southern Germany; a ski school instructor at Bridger Bowl for over 10 years; a phenomenal barista at her and Del’s coffee café, The Bean of Sanibel Island; and sales and marketing for Macy’s in Helena.
She excelled in every job she had, but she poured her heart and soul into her jobs as the youth minister for the Bozeman United Methodist Church and executive program director for the Yellowstone Conference of the United Methodist Church. Carolyn’s love for children and teenagers was beyond compare. Her impact on the lives of hundreds of youth and colleagues is still felt today. Her laughter, smile and love will live forever in the hearts of those she touched. From “Singing in the Rain” at Flathead and Luccock Park Church Camps to “chubby bunny” contests to cross-country road trips, Carolyn’s indomitable spirit lives on in generations of friends, family and co-workers.
In the fall of 2003, Carolyn felt compelled to go to Kabul, Afghanistan, with a good friend to see what she could do to help. They found a day school and orphanage that desperately needed financial support to help the youth living on the streets of Kabul and orphans. She and Elinor Edmonds established Friends of Aschiana and worked tirelessly to support those children and youth. Recently they have just completed the first bilingual alphabet learning book in English and Dari with all the proceeds to benefit Friends of Aschiana.
Carolyn enjoyed many adventures throughout her life traveling and living abroad, however she would say her best adventure was being a mom and grandmother. She enjoyed the outdoors: skiing, hiking and watching soccer games. Her favorite places to enjoy with her grandchildren included Yellowstone Park, Sanibel-Captiva Island, Maui, Flathead Lake United Methodist Church Camp and her home at the Alcapat up St. Louis Gulch.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Carolyn Lucille Dollason and L. Carl Smith. She is survived by her three sons, Alton Straub his wife, Jennifer Devoe, (Portland, Ore.); Carl Straub and his wife, Cathryn English-Straub (Helena); and Patrick Straub and his wife, Brandy Moses Straub, (Bozeman). She had five grandchildren: Carly and Bennett (Bucky) (Portland, Ore.), Jordan and Carsten (Helena) and Adela (Bozeman).
The family would like to thank the entire staff at the Cancer Center at St. Peter’s Hospital. They provided excellent care to her for the last nine years. Carolyn felt so positive about the care at St. Peter’s that she lobbied and supported an effort to build a new cancer center at St. Peter’s Hospital.
Memorials in Carolyn’s name can be sent to any of the following: Florence Crittenton Home, Flathead Lake United Methodist Church Camp and Friends of Aschiana, P.O. 392 East Helena, MT 59635.
To offer a condolence or share a memory of Carolyn, please visit the guest book on this page.
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Sandy Carpenter says
Carolyn’s smiling ways helped me to become a better person. Her influence at Youth Camps reached so many people and brought us all closer together with God. Thank you, Carolyn. You will be missed.
Warren & Doris Miller says
Please know that our hearts and prayers are with you.
Paul and Laura Miller says
We are so sorry to hear of Carolyn’s passing! We are grateful for the time we had with her and all of you in June. She lived life to the fullest until the very end. We are praying for you and send our love to all of you.
George and Jackie Cooper says
George and I were just reminiscing about our days on Beach Rd Sanibel with Carolyn and Del as such good neighbors. We watched them grow “The Bean” of Sanibel from a fun little “mom and pop” coffee shop to a thriving “destination” coffee shop. So I decided to look them up, and sadly found this tribute to Carolyn on her passing. Taken from the world too soon…that’s for sure. Del, if you see this, know that we never forgot you two, and that we’re so sorry about Carolyn….(May, 2017, from Perrysburg Ohio)