Mabelle "Lucille" (Thomas) Carney

Corvallis - Mabelle Lucille Carney, 84 of Corvallis, Mt. went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Tues. Dec. 18, 2018. For years she uncomplainingly battled lung and heart disease along with crippling rheumatoid arthritis and severe hearing loss while caring for her handicapped husband. She did it all with her engaging sense of humor and cheery disposition which brought joy to everyone she saw.

Lucille was born on May 10, 1934 in Hamilton, MT. to Harry Thomas and Violet (Forester) Thomas, the 7th of their 12 children. At 8 yrs. old her mother died, 2 weeks after the last baby was born. For the next 5 yrs., her father raised the children with only the help of her older siblings before remarrying.  These hard times were fondly remembered as opportunities for adventure & laughter while working or playing together. These memories are treasures past down to the many children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews of the next three generations who all loved hearing her laugh and reminisce with her siblings at their many wonderful reunions. 

Lucille graduated from Hamilton High School and married her high school sweetheart, Charles Carney, on June 25, 1953 in Seattle, WA, just before he left for the army. She worked for a year in Boise, ID, while saving up money to join him in Germany where he was stationed. Upon returning to Hamilton, the next 4 yrs brought 4 babies and lots of joy and challenges! She worked hard gardening, canning, and even babysitting other children, while also having jobs at the Cannery, Ham-Mont eggs, and cleaning several motels. She did such a superb job at everything she did that she was known as the very best while later cleaning the Mt. Power and Ham. Assembly of God Church for many years.

Mom, you will always be remembered and admired for your ability to make others laugh, your unique strength in how you chose to focus on others beyond your own hurts and difficulties, and your sense of humor that had even the ICU doctors cracking up. Your love of sweets and belief that ice cream with fudge topping was a complete meal, letting your great grandchildren jump on your bedspread because you valued them more than your stuff, and sharing your love of birds, puzzles, pretty rocks, flowers, deer, and the garden with them has impacted each of them for life. You attended and cheered many sports events, school and church concerts and programs, and numerous birthday and holiday celebrations to let them know you were proud of them! The way you played hide and seek with them and squeaked just a bit to give the littlest ones the joy of finding you, letting the little girls put curlers in your hair, file your nails and even put drops in your eyes just because they want to help you, and rocking their dolly and showing them how to be a sweet mommy is just who you are. You prayed earnestly every day for each of us to love and live for God with all of our hearts and always wanted to make sure everyone was okay even on your last day here.  Your version of "Little Ducky Duddle" with your false teeth out and your "hiding turtle" from your chopped off finger will always be remembered with laughter and the joy that surrounded you!  We will never forget how you loved life, each and every one of your family, friends and church family, and especially your Jesus with everything you had!

Lucille was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Violet; 7 brothers and 2 sisters; sons, Larry and Robert; grandson, Joshua, and her beloved husband, Charles. Survivors include: sister, Shirley (Cliff) Iverson of Missoula; brother, Jerry (Karen) Thomas of Corvallis; daughter, Ruth (Steve) Firkins of Oregon; son, Loren (Carol) Carney of Corvallis; grandchildren: Craig (Misty); Doug (Sarah); Brianne (James); Amanda (Aaron); David (Melissa); Lisa (Jeff); Rachel (Jake) and 20 great grandchildren.

Family visitation will be Thurs. Dec. 27th from 5-7pm at the Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton. A Celebration of Life service will be Friday, Dec. 28th at 11:00 am at the Hamilton Assembly of God Church, 601 W. Main, with fellowship and reception following.

The family suggests that donations may be made to the Assembly of God Missions or the Gideons for Bibles.

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