Carol Sue Fitch

Once you met Carol Fitch, you never forgot her. On August 26, 2026, West Riverside lost one of its original spark plugs at age 80. Following a swift, hard-fought battle with severe acute Amiodarone pulmonary toxicity, Carol passed away peacefully at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Montana, surrounded by love and wrapped in compassionate care.

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Horace and Pearl (Stromme) Nelson, Carol moved to San Leandro, California, at age four. She grew up alongside her siblings, Charlie and Joan, graduating from San Leandro High. In 1963, she married Doug Allard, and in 1972, they packed up for St. Ignatius, Montana. Together, they built a lively hub centered around the Flathead Indian Museum and Trading Post - complete with a general store, gas pumps, a motel, and nationwide Native American art auctions. Carol famously took the old, historic Mission Hotel and remodeled it into a colorful 7-bedroom home. With four kids, three step-kids, an adopted daughter, and a non-stop stream of visitors, the revolving door was always spinning, and Carol always had an extra plate ready - even when the entire Mission Boys Basketball team stopped by.

Carol was a creative powerhouse. A custom seamstress who could craft anything from intricate drapes to padded home-theater walls. She spent nearly 25 years showing off her fine craftsmanship alongside her dear friend and employer Kim Boyle at Red Rooster in Missoula. Over the years, she also managed a large apartment complex, serviced mortgage loans, and curated the Flathead Indian Museum. Unfiltered, comfortable in her own skin, and famously friendly, she couldn't stand in a line at Yoke’s Grocery without making a new best friend or asking the clerk how their day was going.

Carol’s Words to Live By

• “It can’t hurt to ask; all they can say is no.”

• “Be like a postage stamp and stick to one thing until you get there!”

• “You can always learn something new every day - and you should.”

Carol loved family dinners, MCT performances, photography, and making at least one person smile every single day. She married her second husband, Jim Fitch, while living in Texas, later moving to Southern California and returning to Montana in 1990. Sadly, Jim passed away in 2009. She was also preceded in death by her step-son Steve Allard, adopted daughter Marianne “Wally” Pierre Allard Gopher, and her grandchildren Winter Hoops, Cass Gopher, and Angela Gopher.

Her Cherished Family & Friends

• Children: Jeanine Allard, Tena Allard Bova (Darrick), Mike Allard, and Chris Allard (Grace), step-children Toni Allard and Lynne Allard Meadows.

• Grandchildren: Shawn Hendrickson (Megan), Erica Patrick (Curtiss), Amanda Meadows Connors (Tristan), Stacey Allard Doll (David), Rob Allard (Erin), Ryan Allard (Natalie), Flower Gopher, Michaelanne Gopher, Cece Gopher, Billie Gopher, Kristin McClure, Jake Bova (Emilee), Natalie Bova Martin (Gordon), Sam Allard and Ben Allard.

• Great-Grandchildren: Parker, Everett, and Conley Hendrickson; Connor, Ethan, Cooper, and Ellie Patrick; Meadow Connors and Myla Mosley; Brynn and Sawyer Pule; Malin and Adlai Allard; and Ryker Picard.

• Beloved Friends: Barbara Hand, Lavaida Smith, Kim Boyle, Cyndie Winchell, Ryan Jette, and her wonderful neighbor, Patti Kearney.

Memories, laughs, and condolences can be shared with the family on the Garden City Funeral Home website.

• In Carol’s honor, go bring a little unexpected Happiness to someone’s day today!