The Bitterroot Valley lost a bright light when Carolanne Louise Glocker Saylor, “Carol,” left us on 12/31/24. Carol passed away at home with her family and beloved pets at her side.
Carol was born in San Francisco, CA on September 13, 1953 to Albert and Janet Taube Glocker. She was a graduate of Miramonte High School, and subsequently attended Diablo Valley College and the College of Alameda. Carol worked in her father’s family printing business for more than 20 years, acquiring experience in every aspect of small business and honing her talents. She maintained close friendships with friends from these years throughout her life.
During the 1970’s and 1980’s, Carol was an active volunteer for a number of political campaigns and community organizations, such as the JayCees of Lafayette, CA, the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and others. She was proud to be co-founder and Director of the Bay Area Young Republicans 1978-81.
Carol married Steve Saylor on January 19, 1985, and welcomed daughter Anna Janelle Saylor in 1986. The Saylors moved to the Bitterroot Valley on Mother’s Day 1992 and soon began building their forever home on Sheafman Creek.
For most of her career, Carol followed in her father’s footsteps, never straying far from printing, graphic design, advertising sales, copywriting and consulting, both as an employee and working for herself. She worked at Bitterroot Marketing, Insty-Prints, Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, Allegra Printing, the Ravalli Republic and others. Her natural organizational talents led her to spend time as Executive Officer of the Bitterroot Building Industry Association, and Administrative Assistant at the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce.
You’d be hard pressed to find a person with more volunteer positions or accolades. Carol was a co-founder of the Bitterroot Scottish Irish Association, worked on the Advisory Council to Trapper Creek Job Corps, sat on the Bitter Root Event Center Board of Directors, the Job Service Employers Council and so many more. It was at the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce where Carol really found a home. She held a number of both paid and volunteer positions, beginning as an Ambassador in 1993, and later sitting on the Board of Directors, serving as Chair of the Marketing Committee and many more. Throughout the years, Carol received a number of awards, including Volunteer of the Year and later the prestigious Laurel Award for her many years of community service.
After her retirement, Carol continued to maintain her involvement in the Bitterroot Valley as Admin on popular Facebook pages including Bitterroot Eats, Bitterroot Valley Community Events and others right up until her passing.
As much as Carol loved her community, she valued her home and family more. She became a grandmother with the birth of Benjamin; his brother Zachary would later be the youngest. When grandchildren Solomon and Max (Maggie) joined the family, Carol never hesitated to take an active role in their daily lives. Whether it was teaching Sol to cook or Max to bake, cheering on their combined achievements in Taekwondo, or simply greeting them after a day at school, being a grandmother was her proudest achievement.
Carol lived in and for her kitchen. It was a joy to her to preserve the harvest, and make treasured family recipes like pfeffernusse cookies and sauerbraten. She loved to create fabulous desserts to share with friends and family alike. She served as a judge in baked goods at the Ravalli County Fair, and helped choose the ‘best Fair food’ from among the vendors.
For all of her achievements and accomplishments, the thing that Carol Saylor did better than anyone throughout her 71 years was maintain friendships. No one had a better recall of names or how people were connected than Carol. It didn’t matter how brief the interaction or how long it had been since they met, Carol picked up the threads of that friendship seamlessly.
Carol is survived by her husband Steve of nearly 40 years, their daughter Anna Saylor, grandchildren Solomon Burrow, 14, and Max (Maggie) Burrow, 13, bonus daughter Jennifer Saylor Child (Justin), grandchildren Benjamin, 16, and Zachary, 10. Carol had a number of spoiled pets over the years, most recently rescue dog Zena and a pair of kittens. She will be sorely missed by her ‘Hat Club’ friends and all that knew her. Rest in peace, Girlfriend.
Carol’s friends and acquaintances are invited to join the family for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at the Bitterroot River Inn from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. A light brunch will be served. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bitter Root Humane Association or Habitat for Humanity Ravalli County. Whitesitt Funeral Home of Stevensville has assisted the family. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.
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