Carol Lynn (Martineau) Gallagher, 81, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 8, 2022, after an extended illness.  She was born in Butte, MT to Jim and Mary Martineau on April 23, 1941.  She attended St. Joseph's Elementary School and graduated from Butte Girl's Central High School in 1959.  She continued her education at Western Montana College and went on to earn her Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree in education.  On August 25, 1962 she married Tom Gallagher and had four children Cathy, Tim, Tom, and JP.  In 2012, Carol and Tom celebrated 50 years of marriage.

Carol was a teacher for 38 years.  She taught at Dwyer School in Anaconda, in Butte she worked at Head Start, a private kindergarten, Grant, Margaret Leary, Longfellow, and Whittier Schools.  She loved  her students and especially enjoyed her pre-first class where the children had an extra year after kindergarten to prepare for 1 ^st grade.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Carol. She loved to garden and spend time with her family and raising her children in the same town as her sister and extended family. Her kind heart and supportive nature made everyone around her feel truly special.

After retirement Carol considered it a gift of time to travel with Tom and visit their kids and grandkids. They also enjoyed numerous trips to Wendover, Nevada. Her favorite hobbies were to read, walk, and do water aerobics.  When Tom became ill, her time was spent dedicated to his care until he eventually passed away on Christmas Day 2012.

Carol is survived by her children, Cathy and Bill Brannon, Tim Gallagher, Tom and Traci Gallagher, JP and Erna Gallagher; Grandchildren, Heather and Brian Atteberry, Chelsea Gallagher, Kelli and Dominic Navarro, Jared Brannon, Jacob Brannon, Bryce Gallagher, Kylie Gallagher, Cohwen Houchin, Camden Houchin, and Sophia Houchin;  sister Gayle Astle; sister-in-law Kathleen (Kotch) Francisco; great grandchild Rose Atteberry; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by; her husband and parents; brothers Dan and Steve Martineau; brothers-in-law Jack Francisco, Farrell Gallagher, John Astle, and Pete Lear; sisters-in-law Judy Gallagher, and Maureen Lear; nieces Patricia Lear Beck and Teresa Francisco Hegge; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

A special thank you to Easter Seals Hospice and the staff at Big Sky Senior Living for their loving care and support.

Funeral service will be Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, visitation will begin at noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Butte Education Foundation, Butte Parks and Trails Foundation, or the charity of their choice.