Carroll Ann Day, Helena area businesswoman and bon vivant, passed away Thursday, April 18th, due to complications from Glioblastoma.
Carroll was also born on a Thursday, September 3, 1959 (Sun, Moon, Venus Mars and Pluto ALL in Virgo, Capricorn Rising) in Washington, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Joseph Dunn Day and Mary Agnes Jenkins Day. Carroll was their only child, but that fact was no hindrance to her making friends wherever she went. Many of those friends are close; they ARE her family.
She graduated in 1977 from Camelback High School in Phoenix, Arizona. Ms. Day attended the Parsons School of Design in New York City. Her passion for fashion was incredible!
Carroll worked for a national retailer in Tucson before arriving in Helena on her birthday in 2000, initially managing the retailer’s local outlet before making a course correction. She took on the challenge of owning and managing an antique store. Carroll purchased Golden Girls on September 15, 2003, and operated the business with passion, drive and verve for over 15 years. She is known as “The Rock Star Antique Dealer” to many of us. The store will remain open and thriving as usual.
She loved her “Jack and Coke” and absolutely adored dancing. Periodic visits to Chico Hot Springs for relaxation and dancing into the night were highlights every year. As well as trips to Walker’s in Billings, which she discovered after attending the PBS Antiques Road Show in June 2010. Carroll loved new adventures and enjoyed many in her life time with many good friends.
The Pittsburgh Steelers was her favorite football team. It could well be that she will have a space in perpetuity at the 50-yard line for all future home games. Carroll could wax sports, politics or religion with the best. She was a conversationalist and passionate about her views and beliefs.
Carroll was a masterful artisan with an embroidery needle. If you are lucky enough to have in your possession a pillow bearing the intricate, lovely designs which characterized her work, consider yourself fortunate, indeed. These items are greatly admired by those who have seen them; to own one is truly a gift. She also was a very creative cook and enjoyed savoring her own lavish dishes as well as sharing them friends.
Golden Girls’ resident cat-about-town, Copper, went missing for several weeks after making a break out the front door, returned to the store the day after Carroll passed. A resident of Jefferson City found him roving beside the highway and cared for him until learning of his origins and family. It is clear to us that Carroll made certain Mr. Copper found his way home, again.
Carroll’s Memorial service will be held Sunday, April 28th, beginning at 1 P.M. at Miller’s Crossing, 52 S Park Avenue, where she regularly met up with her friends.
Many thanks to Frontier Hospice and “Our House” 24 Hour Care Provider, the many Meal Train friends, and all who helped with Carroll’s care, love and friendship these last few months.
A celebration of her life will be held Sunday, April 28th at 1:00 p.m. at Miller’s Crossing, 52 S. Park Ave. If sending flowers, please have them delivered to Golden Girls Antiques, 505 N. Last Chance Gulch. Memorials in Carroll Day’s name may be sent to: Lewis & Clark Humane Society, P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604, Lost & Foundation, 517 Knight St., Helena, MT 59601, Wild About Cats Rescue & Sanctuary, 9 Williams Way, Clancy, MT 59634, or to a charity of donor’s choice. Please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence or leave a memory of Carroll.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
1:00 p.m.
Sunday April 28, 2019
Miller's Crossing
52 S. Park Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
1:00 p.m.
Sunday April 28, 2019
Miller's Crossing
52 S. Park Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Share
Sandi Benson says
Always a good time see Carol and she will be missed by many. Thoughts and prayers “God Bless”
Carol Westine says
i was so saddened to hear of the passing of Carroll. It was wonderful to know and work with her at Golden Girls Antiques. Carroll had a fine sense of humor and a great, fun sense of style. Her home and fashion reflected her flair. She could embroider beautiful antique-looking pillows and often donated them to charity auctions. She loved music, animals, and especially kitties. Copper (the store kitty) and many people will miss her greatly.
Love and peace to you dear Carroll!
Faye Craig says
I cherish some beautiful memories of hanging out with Carol at Chico Hot Springs, us gals listening to “the band” & all the dancing we did… oh, the dancing. Carol was the ultimate dance partner for us “band wives”. We would dance the night away. We quickly fell in love after we met & spoke about how we felt like such kindred spirits, almost like sisters. My husband & I came to Helena for her gathering of friends & she was so happy to be surrounded by people she loves. She was quick to tell me she was in no pain. But, she also accepted what was to come & was clearly grateful to have the opportunity to see many of us for what she knew may be for the last time. I didn’t say goodbye to her on that visit & I won’t now. I’ll just repeat my last words to her before I gave her a kiss that day as we were leaving to drive home to Bozeman. Until we meet again, Carol. I love you!
Susan Parshall Marcinek says
My heart is broken today. Carroll was at peace with the turn her life had taken, but I feel robbed. I have known Carroll as an acquaintance for many years, but we had just really connected in the past 2 years. I so enjoyed our many conversations, and her encouragement for me as I worked to develop my business. We understood each other’s shared passion for sewing vintage. On days when I thought no one would ever “get” what it is I do, Carroll was there to cheer me on. So Carroll, it is now my turn to cheer for you!! You are free, and our loss is heaven’s gain. I will think of you every time I sit down to sew, and replay our conversations in my mind, and say a prayer of gratitude that I was lucky enough to call you friend.
Kori Dee says
Carroll plus Copper equals Golden Girls Antiques’ welcoming ambiance. I thoroughly enjoyed my chats with Carroll when I was at the shop. A woman with a big heart, beautiful smile, love of life. I lift Carroll, family and friends up in prayer. We have lost a kind and gentle person.
Linda L Hoenigsberg says
I loved the warm welcome and interesting conversations I had with Carroll as a booth renter at Golden Girls. She was quick to smile and that smile reached her eyes. I was so saddened to hear of her illness and sadder to hear of her passing. She will be missed!
L. Whitley says
We were saddened to read about the ‘great loss’ of Carroll and want to express our heartfelt condolences. As family and friends continue to support one another in the days to come, think about seeing her in a youthful world, full of happiness, doing all the things she loved, and where sorrow and pain will be a thing of the past. May the peace of God be with all during this difficult time.