In Loving Memory of Carolyn Jean Lacey
Carolyn Jean Lacey beloved wife, mother, grandmother, graduate of the University of Oregon School of nursing, and unwavering woman of faith passed away peacefully on April 14, 2025 in Helena, Montana at the age of 83. Born at Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland, Oregon on March 5, 1942, Carolyn was the cherished daughter of Alma and Paul Mills.
On June 26, 1965 Carolyn married her love, Conley Gerard Lacey MD at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Portland Oregon. Together they built a life rooted in faith, love and enduring commitment. Carolyn was a devoted mother to her loving daughters Erin McGree, Meghan Dayka and adopted son Daniel who carry forward her legacy of compassion, strength, and grace.
Though Carolyn’s life was marked by enormous physical challenges including life threatening illnesses and a near fatal battle with necrotizing gangrene, she faced each day with faith, courage, dignity and remarkable resilience. Her career was abruptly interrupted by the early onset of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis which eventually destroyed her mobility, but never did she allow her illnesses to dominate her faith or her spirit. Undeterred, she devoted her remaining energy to her family and to philanthropic organizations to become a force for good in her communities. In San Diego she became the chairperson of the Scripps Clinic women’s society and had a pivotal role in awarding hundreds of summer externships to aspiring high school students in the biological sciences and Medicine-insuring that the next generation would carry on the torch of healing and hope.
Her daily prayers and the enduring love of her family and friends guided her through the storms of life and inspired everyone fortunate enough to know her. Her steadfast faith, determination, and suffering were truly “a profile in courage”.
Carolyn is survived by her loving husband of nearly sixty years, Conley Lacey, her daughters and son’s in law Erin and Jim McGree, Meghan and Tim Dayka, adopted son Daniel Gerard, and her cherished grandchildren Connor, Lacey, Nathan and Thomas McGree, Alexandra and Kayleigh Dayka, friends, relatives and admirers too numerous to count. May she Rest in Peace in the communal crypt at Fort Harrison National Cemetery to await the arrival of her devoted husband Conley.
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, 120 W Riggs, East Helena at 12:00 Noon on June 25. Reception to follow in the parish hall.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
Noon
Wednesday June 25, 2025
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
120 W Riggs
East Helena, MT
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Beryl Early says
I met Carolyn in 1976 when my husband and I moved to La Jolla. She became a sweet, good friend and no matter her physical
difficulties, always kept her sense of humor.
Ames and I are so sorry for your loss and are thinking of Con and her family.