Carole Faye Slaybaugh

January 25, 1935–June 23, 2021

Carole Faye Slaybaugh, with family at her side, passed away peacefully on her own terms on June 23, 2021, after a long-fought battle with heart failure and breast cancer.

Carole was born in Omak, Wash., to Bert Stark and Letha "Sally" Ogden Stark on January 25, 1935. Carole moved many times as a youth including time spent in Alaska, before landing in Pomeroy, Wash. She lived with Aunt Elma and Uncle Elmer Trescott in her junior year at Pomeroy High School where she later graduated.

Carole worked briefly as a dental assistant before marrying Bert Slaybaugh of Pomeroy. Together on his family's farm they raised three children: David Slaybaugh, Darin Slaybaugh, and adopted Joanna Slaybaugh Morgan. They also sponsored Park Moon, a Korean-American orphan, until her later adoption in the United States. Once the kids were all raised, Carole returned to paid work at the Garfield County Courthouse and Pomeroy Grade School as an aid until her retirement.

She enjoyed life researching and documenting family history through genealogy, loving her many dogs, contributing to the care for the environment by picking up litter everywhere she went, traveling and camping, and maintaining a beautiful yard.

Carole's legacy was sharing her love of reading and books with her three great kids, eight amazing grandkids, nine precious great grandkids and through her work with youth at the Pomeroy Grade School. She was a long-time member of the Pomeroy Methodist Church, Pomeroy Pioneer Association and long-time supporter of the Denny Ashby Library.

Carole was preceded in death by her husband Bert L. Slaybaugh, parents Bert Stark and Sally Ogden Stark Mortimeyer, brother Gerald "Jerry" Stark, and son David Slaybaugh, as well as her many beloved dog companions.

She is survived by her son Darin and wife Jo Anne Slaybaugh of Puyallup, Wash., and daughter Joanna and Grant Morgan residing on the family farm in Pomeroy, Wash., as well as daughter-in-law Kathleen Black Slaybaugh Harding of Arizona, plus all the much-loved grandkids–Jeremy, Heather, Martha, Jackson, Collin and Kathryn, Brent and Kayla, and the great grandkids she was blessed to touch–Lexi, Kassi, Taylor, Nora, Mason, Gideon, Natalie, Rory, and Peyton.

A gathering to celebrate Carole's life will be held in the Pomeroy City Park at a future date pending the arrival of cooler weather and the completion of harvest. Carole's ashes will be scattered at a later time on the family farm she was dedicated to preserving.

Carole requested in lieu of flowers to please consider a donation in her honor to animal rescue efforts including Helping Hands Rescue, P.O. Box 1975, Lewiston, ID 83501 or Lewis Clark Animal Shelter, 6 Shelter Rd, Lewiston, ID 83501 or an organization of your choosing.

The family would like to thank the many earth angels who helped mom and the family navigate these last challenging months with grace and peace and laughter including the incredible staff of Garfield County Hospital and Medical Clinic, Brad Gingerich and the staff of Pomeroy Pharmacy, Nurse Jeanne of Elite Home Health, Max and Brian Scoggin and family, Linda Sharp, Nancy Houser, Leann Clayton, Tammi Bragg, and Julie Scott. It truly takes a village and we are so grateful to have one. God bless you all for helping mom continue her journey with her distinct legendary style.