Caroline Dreher Obituary

Caroline Hudson Dreher, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at the age of 86, after a long journey with dementia.

Caroline was born on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1939, on the outskirts of St. Ignatius, Montana, to Floyd Edgar and Naida Pierce Hudson. The fourth of seven children, she grew up surrounded by the love and bustle of a big family.

She attended school in St. Ignatius before moving to Arlington, Washington, to live with her lifelong friend, Rena Webb, and her family, where she graduated high school. Afterward, she joined her brother and his family in San Diego, where she enjoyed going to dances at the Marine Corps Depot. It was there she met a young Marine, whom she married, and together they welcomed four children: Michael, Angie, Julie, and Rachael.

Caroline returned to Montana with her children, where she worked as a teacher's aide at the local grade school and held a variety of other jobs while raising her family. In 1976, she settled in Albany, Oregon, which remained her home for the rest of her life. Over the years, she also spent time in Eastern Washington, working alongside her dear friend Rena as a dairy maid, before returning to Albany, where she devoted herself to caregiving for elderly residents.

Caroline retired in 2006, but her days remained full. She loved tending her garden, sewing, solving puzzles, and taking long walks. Her faith was a guiding light throughout her life. As a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served faithfully in many callings, including as a Nursery and Sunbeam teacher and as Church Librarian-roles she cherished deeply.

One of Caroline's lifelong dreams was to see Ireland, a wish sparked during a Relief Society lesson in the 1970s. In 2013, she traveled there with her daughters and granddaughters, where she delighted in exploring castles and even kissed the Blarney Stone, securing, as legend says, a gift of eloquence.

More than anything, Caroline dedicated her life to her family. Her greatest joy was seeing her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow into lives of love and goodness.

She is survived by her daughters Angie Whitehead (Kyle) of Herriman, UT, Julie McGary (Curtis) of Pasco, WA, and Rachael Stewart (Ken) of Albany, OR; her daughter-in-law, Debbie Dreher of Albany, OR; her sisters Valiera James (Bob) of Monroe, UT, and Elna Winstead of Albany, OR; her sister-in-law Ramona Hudson of Aumsville, OR; 14 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, four siblings, her son Michael, and an infant daughter, Corena Jacqueline Dreher.

Caroline will be remembered for her kindness, her faith, her resilience, and her unwavering love for her family.