Carol Deschamps, 77, passed away February 17, 2002 at the Oneida County Hospital in Malad. True to a motto she often recited, “Just do you own thing”, she lived a full life on her own terms.

Carol was born October 21, 1924 to David M. and Lizzette Maude Williams Griffiths in Malad, ID. Her father passed away when she was only four years old, subsequently the depression years were especially challenging for her kind, talented and hardworking mother, who provided support for four children, her parents, and often her brothers. Carol’s tales of the depression hardships which the entire nation faced, were far overshadowed by tales of adventures which she enjoyed. She was proud of her title as “Fifth Grade marble Champion” and won a special award for perfect attendance – the special award was a comb! She enjoyed Saturday matinee movies, and often stopped along the way at Jones Confectionery with her sister Donna to purchase cherry chocolates, which remained a favorite throughout her life. Her dog Rags was her special companion.

While a student at Malad High School, Carol sang in a trio and the a cappella choir, and could play the piano “by ear”, however there was more fun to be had outside the school walls! Carol was often seen with her pals, many of whom remained lifelong friends. The “gang” had a clubhouse and Carol’s tales of high school escapades were enjoyable. From chickarees to outhouse tipping, she and her pals enjoyed the fun created by the teenagers of the 30s and 40s, despite the depression and the beginning of World War II.

Following graduation from Malad High School in 1943, Carol worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a signal operator and at the Bushnell Military Hospital in Brigham City, and later moved to Los Angeles where she became the family’s Rosie The Riveter”. She riveted airplane wings for P-51 Mustang airplanes needed for WWII. She also packed parachutes, and often left notes for the soldiers inside the airplanes and chutes. Following the war she worked in advertising at a newspaper, and as a fashion spy! Using her seamstress talents taught to her by her mother, Carol would visit upscale designer dress stores in Beverly Hills, and at home reconstruct the fashions which were reproduced by her employers.

Following her move back to Malad, she married David S. Deschamps, Jr. in Las Vegas, and moved to the family cattle ranch in St. John, west of Malad.

Carol and Dave were a perfectly matched pair of characters, and they provided a wonderful life for their two daughters. Carol taught the girls all the right things, such as how to make a fly kites. (Carol continued her springtime kite flying until she was well on in years!) She enjoyed Easter egg hunts and wienie roasts which she hosted for the girls and her nieces and nephews. There is an art to cutting just the right willow to roast hot dogs and marshmallows!

Although horseback riding was not “her thing”, Carol permitted horses to be an important part of the girls’ lives, both of whom enjoyed riding. Carol was the chauffeur, as Dave sat in the back seat of their Lincoln holding a special gift which they purchased in Arimo for their daughters – a Shetland pony colt! Mogley became a family pet.

Carol always welcomed the nieces and nephews who came to visit – she loved them all. The family ranch was a favorite for many, especially the Weston cousins from California who would visit during the summers. Carol gladly put in a lot of extra work to host the cousins, and enjoyed allowing them to “do their own thing” on the ranch. They all have great memories of those carefree, adventure-packed summers.

Carol often cared for orphaned Hereford calves on the ranch, which she and the girls bottle-fed until they were old enough to move into the regular cattle pens, but even more demanding was her duty as surrogate mother to an orphaned Quarterhorse colt born on Mother’s Day. Care and feeding of a newborn colt is much more demanding than calves. The colt, Carol’s Orphan, nicknamed Charlie, had to be fed every two hours around the clock. The formula included several ingredients and had to be mixed at each feeding. Charlie often slept with Sylvia, the family’s dog, and Sylvia taught Charlie several fun and exciting activities such as running around the pasture with a stick in his mouth. Charlie’s career on the racetrack was short-lived, and he found little acceptance in the regular horse pens. The horse that carried a stick in his mouth remained a special friend to Carol, and Sylvia the dog.

During the summers Carol prepared thousands of sandwiches for work crews in the haylands, and for cattle drives. The hayland crew would consume seven to ten loaves of her homemade bread daily.

Carol made everyone feel welcome at the Deschamps ranch. Guests enjoyed sitting around the big oak table in the kitchen. A lot of tales have been told around that old table, along with a lot of whiskey and singing shared with an untold number of friends. The coffee pot was always on, and some folks would even stop by for a cup of coffee when no one was home. They would leave a note saying thanks.

Carol’s pride and joy was the Majestic coal stove which she “modernized” by removing the legs and back and mounted on a brick hearth in the kitchen. She was an expert fire tender, and when the cut firewood ran out, and the snow was deep, Carol could burn a cedar post one inch at a time, propping the post up on a chair and pushing it into the stove as it slowly burned. When the electricity went out, which happened quite often during the 50s and 60s, Carol kept the family and visitors warm with her old coal stove. The coal stove’s door doubled as a chair and she often kept a pot of soup or chili cooking on top.

Carol was an excellent seamstress and made her daughters’ prom formals and costumes for plays. For several years she was a member of the Carefree Bridge Club and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Eagles Auxiliary.

She especially liked young people, and often came to their defense. Throughout her life she made a home for young folks who sometimes needed a little help and time to work things out in life.

Carol was an excellent dancer, and did a “jig” for Dave just a couple of weeks ago. She liked onion and mustard sandwiches, and hosted lots of Sunday barbecues. Tales of Carol’s adventures are endless. She loved life and appreciated people just as they were. She had a guardian angel and a guardian dog.

Carol was truly kind, and truly loved.

She is survived by her husband, David S. Deschamps, Jr., of St. John; two daughters and sons in law, Barbara Lizzette DesChamps and John H. Walters, Seattle; Kristine D. and Ronald A. Smith, Pocatello; two granddaughters and one grandson in law; Leslie Anne and David F. Jones, Pocatello, and Jessica Lynne Walters, Seattle; her little sister, Donna Thomas, Milwaukie, OR; brother in law, Jack Madson, Malad; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in passing by her parents; sister, Elaine Madson; brother, Dean Griffiths; a brother in law, Ronald L. Thomas; and a beloved grandson, David parley Jones.

Friends are invited to join Carol’s family Thursday evening, February 21 at the American Legion building on Main Street in Malad from 5:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. where guests will be welcome to put their elbows on the table and enjoy a cup of coffee, homemade cookies and some good chat. Please bring stories about Carol to share.

A brief memorial service will begin about 6:45 p.m.

Since she was always inclined to “do her own thing” Carol said that when she was gone to just lay her on a pine bough and the Great White Spirit would take care of her. Since the state doesn’t take kindly to that sort of thing, cremation has taken place and her remains will be buried during a private family service.