Carol Beth Pearcy

Carol Beth Pearcy, 82, of Darby, Montana and Davis, California, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2024, at Sutter Davis Hospital, surrounded by her two children, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Born on May 28, 1942, in Billings, Montana, to Walter “Tuffy” and Velma Hilliard, Carol grew up in the oil camp of Dry Creek, nestled between Bridger and Red Lodge. Her childhood was filled with horseback rides, wide-open skies, and a deep love for Montana’s rugged beauty — a love that stayed with her throughout her life.

After graduating from Bridger High School, Carol attended the University of Montana, where she earned a degree in education and met Dr. Robert “Bob” Pearcy, a future botanist and professor at UC Davis. They shared 52 years of marriage filled with love, laughter, and adventure.

Carol began her teaching career in Ronan, Montana, and Fort Collins, Colorado, before taking time away to raise her two children, Shannon and Dean. She later resumed her career teaching history at Davis Senior High School in the Davis Joint Unified School District, where she inspired her students with her sharp wit, infectious laugh, and trademark sarcasm — qualities that made her both admired and unforgettable.

A lifelong learner, Carol was an accomplished genealogist, an avid horsewoman, and a gifted storyteller. She loved traveling, quilting, her book clubs, and the company of her boxers — Bailey, Toby, Buster, and Abby — who brought her endless joy over the years.

In retirement, Carol returned to her Montana roots, settling in Darby, where she made many great friends and found peace in the quiet rhythm of rural life and the beauty of the Bitterroot Valley.

Carol is survived by her daughter, Shannon Pearcy (Sean McArthur) of Davis, California; her son, Dean Pearcy (Melissa) of Spokane, Washington; and her grandchildren, Gavin and Logan. She also leaves behind her sisters-in-law, Lana Hilliard and Sara McNeil (Rich); her brother- and sister-in-law, Stephen and Mary Pearcy; nieces, Kristen and Alison Pearcy; and nephews, Bronson and Brendan Hilliard.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Pearcy; her parents, Walter “Tuffy” and Velma Hilliard; and her brother, Carl Hilliard.

Carol will be remembered as a devoted mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend — intelligent, independent, and full of humor and heart. She faced life’s challenges with grit and grace, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and quiet strength.

A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at a later date in Davis, California, where family and friends will gather to share memories and honor her life.