Carol Fay Crumbaker

On Thursday, June 23, 2016, Carol Fay Crumbaker, passed away at her home, surrounded by her treasured family and dear friends. Carol joked repeatedly that she didn't want to see, "...after a long, courageous battle with cancer," in her obituary. Instead, we were to say she put up a brief and lackluster fight. Hardly. The truth is, she faced cancer with the same tenacity, strength, beauty, grace and humor by which she lived her life.

Carol was born on Aug. 14, 1946, in Helena. Her parents, Jack and Florence Crumbaker, picked her out of "hundreds" of babies to be theirs. Jack and Florence raised Carol in Billings, where she attended McKinley Elementary, Lincoln Junior High, and Billings Senior High School (graduating in 1964). College took Carol to Denver, where she earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Denver in 1968. Shortly thereafter, she returned to Billings, where she earned her teacher certification from Eastern Montana College.

She briefly taught elementary school, but spent the majority of her professional life in the Billings real estate industry. Carol was a realtor, lender and an escrow officer. She retired from American Title and Escrow in 2012. Her depth of knowledge, vivacious personality and caring nature brought her a large list of clients, and endeared her to coworkers, many of whom she considered great friends.

She loved spending time with her many friends. Carol enjoyed long talks over dinner and wine, played games, went to movies, traveled to see them; she laughed with them, cried with them, and supported them without judgment. Throughout her lifetime, this diverse group of women held her up. Carol's last years and final days were made exponentially better by their kindness and generosity of both time and spirit.

More than anything else in the world, Carol adored her family, especially her five grandchildren. She gave each one of us the undying gift of unconditional love. Carol always knew how important family was, and spent the last two years making incredible memories with her daughters, stepson, sons-in-law and grandchildren. We are forever grateful to her for everything she has been to us, to our families and to our friends.

Carol is survived by her daughter, Shelby Gilluly, son in-law Michael Gilluly, grandchildren Laine and Jack Gilluly; daughter Sydne DeBusk, son in-law Jeff DeBusk, grandchildren Molly and Sadie DeBusk, all of Billings; stepson Jeff Nelson and grandson Jade Nelson, of Seattle; her niece, Cherie Ash (and family) of Camarillo, Calif.; and several wonderful cousins. She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Jack and Florence Crumbaker.

Please join us in celebration of Carol's life at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 28, at American Lutheran Church, 5 Lewis Ave., Billings, MT 59101.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to American Lutheran Church; Planned Parenthood of Montana (2525 Fourth Ave. N, Suite 201, Billings, MT 59101); or to the charity of one's choice.