Carol Ann Antrim, 73, of Missoula, MT, passed away after a long illness at Community Medical Center on April 25, 2021.
Carol was born in Whitefish, MT on June 21, 1947 to Paul and Dorothy Orphey. Shortly after Carol’s birth her mother, Dorothy, passed on June 22, 1947. She was raised by Paul and Billie Orphey on Whitefish Lake.
Following her graduation from Whitefish High School in 1965, Carol moved to Indianapolis, Indiana where she married Paul W. Antrim. They continued to live in Indiana with frequent trips back to Whitefish to see her parents and family and to fulfill their hobby of photographing the Montana area and gathering inspiration for Carol’s painting and basket making. She gathered antler drops to incorporate in her beautiful baskets.
As a basket maker, Carol became world renown. She became proficient in making baskets from several of the midwestern native tribes. Her works are displayed in many museums in the area. She was a part of the basket makers guild and later an expert button collector. She also made a name for herself in Indiana for as an outstanding gardener of herbs, flowers, and native plants, being featured in the Parade of Gardens for the State of Indiana.
Tole painting was one of her passions that she generously shared with members of her family and friends. She painted portraits, landscapes, beautiful home décor items and managed to weave some of these talents into her baskets.
Carol was a loving wife but was never able to have her own children so she shared her love generously with cousins, nieces, nephews, and her very special grand- nephew C J Newlon of Missoula.
Carol is survived by her Stepmother, Billie I Hamma; Sister, Judy Newlon (Rick) of Missoula, Mt.; Brother, David Orphey (Bobby) of Hammond, LA; Nephews Chris (Melissa) Newlon, Clinton, MT; Mike (April) Newlon, Rock Springs, WY; Kenny Blonden, TN; and Carol’s best friends and their family, Kathy and John Niece of Dayton, Ohio.
A family memorial service is planned for later in the summer. Memorials may be made in Carol’s name to the charity of a donor’s choice.