Carol Ann Jill (Clark) Overbeck, or "Jill" as she was known by everyone, died of cancer on Nov. 17. She left this world as she wished to, at her home on "Overbeck Hill" near Big Piney, with her daughters and her dogs by her side.

Though it was always intended for her to be called Jill, the first name of Carol was added when she was born on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 1945, at Kemmerer. She was the youngest daughter of Willard and Blanche (Montreuil) Clark. Her family lived in the Daniel area at the time, but later moved to Big Piney when Jill was three years old.

As the daughter of ranch hands, Jill started riding horses almost as soon as she could walk. Since she was usually the only girl on the ranch, she made friends with the animals around her, finding them to be better listeners than most people. This is how her lifelong devotion to caring for a menagerie of animals began.

In 1961, Jill met and began dating Gordon Eugene Overbeck. Gordon was from the Pennsylvania and New York area, having recently come to Big Piney with a cousin to work in the oilfield. At first, Willard wasn't too pleased about this because Jill was so young at the time, and because Gordon looked like a "greaser" from back east. Even so, Gordon and Jill were married at Randolph, Utah on Dec. 22, 1962 when Jill was 16 years old. Despite the obstacles facing the young couple, the marriage lasted nearly 58 years.

Gordon and Jill chose to stay in Big Piney to raise their family, which included 3 daughters and a variety of pets and livestock of all shapes and sizes. They lived in town until 1972 when they moved west on Middle Piney Road to the place now known by family and friends as "Overbeck Hill." Jill was primarily a stay-at-home mom until 1983 when she started working as an aide at Big Piney Elementary School. She did this for approximately 15 years.

As a mother and grandmother, Jill was the best. Besides having her own petting zoo and living on one of the best sled hills in the world, she was an excellent cook and baker. With all the homemade breads, meals, and desserts she made, nobody ever left her house hungry. She crocheted priceless heirlooms for family and friends. She was also a lot of fun! She entertained children visiting her house by taking them for horse rides, for walks to look for horny toads, for picnics in the mountains, or holding dance parties in her living room.

Most importantly, though, Jill loved all her children and grandchildren unconditionally. She was their biggest fan, making it a priority for her and Gordon to be there, supporting them in as many school activities and major life events as possible. Even when they lived far apart, her family knew she was only a phone call away if they needed her advice and support. Though she is now gone and will be deeply missed, comfort can be taken in knowing her legacy will live on through the love and memories she created for her family.

Jill is preceded in death by her husband, Gordon; parents, Willard and Blanche Clark; sisters, June (Davison) Vosler and Norma Jean (Davison) Potter; and brother, Jack Clark.

She is survived by her daughters, Carol (Brian) Sawyer of Cottonwood, Ariz., Rita (Mark) Bjornestad of Powell, and Sharon (Dave) Jackson of Astoria, Ore.; grandchildren, April (Drew) Peregoy of Riverton, Gordon (Lyndsey) Sawyer of Casper, Hannah Donayri and Danielle

Donayri of Astoria, Ore., Rachel Bjornestad (Tim Adams) of Boise, Idaho, Jonathan Bjornestad (Bryanna Sanders) of Powell, and Alex (Olivia) Bjornestad of Honolulu, Hawaii; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Ronald (Kathy) Davison of Kemmerer; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and friends.

At Jill's request, no memorial services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Kickin' Cancer in Sublette County.