Carol McLaren

Carol V. McLaren 8/17/29-12/27/23

Longtime Dillon resident Carol Vivienne Giudici McLaren passed away December 27th, 2023, at age 94.

Carol was born in Butte on August 17, 1929, to Dillon residents, Phillip Isadore and Florence (Nelson) Giudici. The family later moved to Butte along with their second child Philip Ray. There, Carol attended Blaine Elementary School. Her family remained in Butte until 1942. They returned to Dillon in 1943 where Carol attended Beaverhead County High School. During her attendance at BCHS, Carol would meet the love of her life Arley McLaren. She graduated Salutatorian of her class from Beaverhead County High School in 1947. She attended Montana State Normal College the following fall where she received her teaching degree in 1949 and accepted a position in Great Falls. She taught in Great Falls for one year before returning to Dillon to marry Arley on June 25 th , 1950. A year later, the couple moved to Pocatello where they welcomed their first child, Susan, in 1952 followed by the birth of their son Richard in 1954. After the death of Arley's father they returned to Dillon where they added to their family with the addition of their daughter Chris in 1958 and daughter Amanda in 1962.

Carol worked a variety of jobs including working for McCracken's and teaching school in Melrose. In 1972, Arley and Carol took over the Dillon-Wisdom Stage route. She took on the role of office manager for their business and would often drive the route herself with the help of her two youngest daughters in the summer months. In 1975 they purchased Hignight Plumbing with a partner and in 1979 they became sole owners and renamed the business McLaren Plumbing. They owned and operated McLaren Plumbing until selling the business and retiring in 2004. During this time Carol returned to Western Montana College and received her Early Childhood Development certification and worked for many years as a childcare provider for a local daycare.

A lover of local and family history, she was active in the Beaverhead Head Hunters and the archives at Beaverhead County Museum. She was devoted in her faith and an active member of St. James Episcopal Church for most of her life. She served on the Vestry, various committees, taught Sunday School, served as a layperson, and could always be counted on to have Coffee Hour ready after church. Of her many accomplishments, none was greater than the family she and Arley created. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

Carol is survived by her daughter Susan McLaren and her children, Kimberly (JC) Youngquist and Eric (Jordan) Dolan; son, Richard (Charee) McLaren and their daughters, Summer Bourassa and Serena Zareski; son-in-law, Robert Kailey (Christine); daughter Amanda (Dennis) Morton and their daughter Morgan McLaren; nine great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Arley of 64 years; daughter Christine McLaren; and brother, Phillip Ray.

A celebration of Carol's life and internment is planned for later this spring. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorials be sent to Beaverhead County Museum 15 S. Montana Street, Dillon, MT 59725; St. James Episcopal Church, 203 E Glendale Street, Dillon, MT 59725 or a charity of your choice.