Carol Ann Mulholland

Carol Ann Mulholland departed from her life on earth, where she dwelled for 86 years, on Thursday January 9th, 2025, to be reunited with her forever loved and cherished mother, Ellen Bancroft Mulholland Stewart and brother, Thomas J. Mulholland, as well as Grandparents, Uncles, Aunt, and dear friends developed over the years. Carol was born on March 4th, 1938, at St. James Hospital in Butte, where she resided most of her life. She attended St. Patricks’ Grade School and graduated from Anaconda Central High School in 1956. She finished her formal education, graduating in 1960 from Carroll College Sisters of Charity School of Nursing. She spent a few months with relatives in Chicago, Illinois and attended McCormick Business College to get a taste of “Big City” living. It did not take long for her to realize that “Big City” living was not for her. The pull of the medical profession was strong for Carol, and she realized that this would be her path in life. With so many amazing role models, like her grandfather, Dr. Carroll Bancroft, her Grandmother Bancroft (the creator of the Music Department at Warm Springs State Hospital) and her mother (who was an admired and honored RN with various roles in Butte, Warm Springs, and South Dakota) it was inevitable that Carol would end up in the medical profession. As a new graduate, her first nursing experience was at the old St. James Hospital, working on the “Miners Ward.” She transferred to what would become St. James Community Hospital, when it was bought by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. Carol could be found developing new skills and polishing old ones in all areas, except the Emergency Room and ICU. Carol’s experience was varied and vast and made her the wonderful nurse she was said to have been. While at St. James, she was recruited by an ENT, John V. Plett, MD and was asked if she had any interest in becoming an office nurse. And with that, she found herself in private practice for the next 11 years. Upon, his retirement, she traversed back to her original stomping grounds at St. James Community Hospital. This time, thinking she had been away from mainstream nursing for too long, she worked in the Main and ER Admission areas. It wasn’t long before her peers coaxed her back to “where she belonged” and she took advantage of a Preceptor Program and found herself once again being a nurse…her true calling in life. When the modality of nursing began to change and there seemed to be less hands-on nursing and more technological approaches being introduced, she saw and applied for a job as Staff RN at Butte-Silverbow City-County Health Department. Just up her alley: hands-on care, honing skills learned so many years previously and testing her knowledge to the Nth degree! There wasn’t an area of nursing that she didn’t thoroughly enjoy and give 100%. Work was not her only pleasure. Carol took great pride in the members of her family and the little ones who became part of a growing family tree. Nieces, nephew and their families were pure treasures and brought so much joy. Surviving Carol is her beloved furry friend and companion, Buddy. Niece Stacey Marie Mulholland and her children, Grace Elizabeth, and Shane Michael Thomas Schalk. Niece Colleen Michelle (Joe) Rahn and her family, Jenna Elaine Rahn and Hunter Thomas Rahn. Nephew Brian James (Katie McNamara) Mulholland and his family, Danielle Amado Mulholland, Jake Patrick Cowden, Abigail Grace Cowden and Samuel William Cowden; Tom’s adored companion, Becky Gulledge and her family, and Tom’s former wife, Margie Burink. Surviving also are cousins: Maureen (Mike) Young, Cathy Moran, Patricia (Tony) King, Tom (Amy) Mulholland, Mary (Rob) Carpender and Dan (Sue) Mulholland and their families. Carol was predeceased by her wonderful mother, Ellen. Her younger brother, Tom, maternal and fraternal grandparents, uncles, aunt, stepfather, cousins and many other beloved family members. And finally, her best friend of over 70 years, Helen Varelia. A final thank you goes out to her “Neighbor Angels” -- Val and Gary Campbell, Andy and Barb Janhunen, who for years kept an eye out to ensure Carol and her mom were well taken care of with delicious meals, handyman work around the house, errand running, regular check-in’s and babysitting all Carol’s furry friends. Mary “Nikki” Foley, her Sunday go-to-Mass friend, frequent “Let’s go to lunch partner”, and epitome of what a friend truly is. And, finally, the Jack Baker family, good friends and Jack-of-all-tradesmen, who transformed the house on many occasions. Words alone cannot convey the gratitude I felt towards one and all for assuring the house was truly a home for so many years and a true haven of happy times.

Tributes

Carol Ann Mulholland

March 4, 1938 - January 9, 2025