Caryl (Borchers) Wickes-Connick

Missoula - Caryl (Borchers) Wickes-Connick, 95, of Missoula, Montana, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2026, at her daughter's home surrounded by love.

A proud fourth-generation Montanan, Caryl was born to Thomas Alexander and Heloise Vinal Wickes. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Randy Borchers; her husbands, Lou Borchers and Clay Connick; her brothers, Tom Wickes and David Wickes; sister-in-law Diana Wickes; nephew Thomas Leslie Wickes; brother-in-law Robert Flink; and grandson Wade Woodgerd.

Caryl attended school in Missoula and graduated from Missoula County High School in 1949. During her school years, she was a cheerleader and served as secretary of the student government. She formed lifelong friendships that she treasured throughout her life, staying connected through class reunions and monthly luncheons. Caryl also had a lifelong love of dance. She studied ballet and tap and later taught ballroom dancing, sharing her passion with others.

After high school, Caryl attended the University of Montana, earning a bachelor's degree in Social Work. There she met her first husband, Lou Borchers. Following their marriage, Lou entered the Army ROTC, and the couple spent several years stationed in Germany. Upon returning to the United States, they began their family and welcomed three children: Randy, Bill, and Brenda.

For twelve years, Caryl and Lou helped develop and operate Borchers of Finley Point Resort on Flathead Lake, where they welcomed guests and played an important role in the success of the family business. Later, they moved to Great Falls to help Lou's father manage the American Furniture Store.It was in Great Falls that Caryl's commitment to public service and advocacy flourished. She served on the Board of Directors of the YWCA and became a driving force in addressing domestic violence in Montana. As chair of GF’s City Task Force, she helped establish Montana's first shelter for battered women and children, Mercy Home. Serving as executive director for 13 years, Caryl helped spearhead 18 bills protecting victims of domestic violence that were passed by seven different Montana legislative sessions. Through her leadership and collaboration with agencies, churches, legal services, task forces, and the Governor's Office, she helped communities across Montana establish shelters and safe homes for victims and their families.

Her dedication earned numerous honors, including the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service and the United States Postal Service's "Stop Family Violence" stamp award, recognizing the opening of the Mercy Home Shelter.

Caryl was also an active member of the Great Falls and Missoula chapters of the Business and Professional Women's Organization and participated in the National Silent Witness Initiative, helping bring awareness, education, and advocacy to issues surrounding domestic violence.

After her divorce from Lou, Caryl returned to her hometown of Missoula. She worked at Southgate Mall as its first customer service desk agent, where she reunited with longtime friends and made many new ones. It was there that she met her second husband, Clay Connick. Through that marriage, she warmly welcomed Clay's children into her extended family: his daughter, Karen (Gary) Woodgerd, and their sons, Wade and Blaine (Juli); Wade's children, Gavin and Abby, and their mother, Denise; and his son, Stan (Karen) Connick, and their children, Ben and Laura (Jake), and their children, Jackson and Riley.

In retirement, Caryl and Clay enjoyed traveling, dancing, and spending time with family and friends. She fulfilled a lifelong dream by wintering in Arizona for many years, where she taught walk aerobics and embraced an active lifestyle well into her later years. An avid walker, Caryl could often be found on Missoula's Kim Williams Trail, where she regularly walked up to five miles a day with her children, siblings, friends, and grandchildren. Those walks became treasured times of companionship, conversation, and connection with the people she loved most.

Caryl is survived by her son, Bill (Brenda) Borchers, and their children, Kaydee, Karmen (Jesse), and Keliegh; her daughter, Brenda (Jim) Harrold, and their son, Brett; her daughter-in-law, Shirley Borchers, and Randy's children: Stephanie (Jake) and their children, William and Ashley; James and his children, Jonathan, Ellie, and Jaxson, and their mother, Maddie; and Katharyne (Matt) and their children, Faith and Mercy. She is also survived by her brother, Jerry (Sandy) Wickes; her sister, Kay Flink; her sister-in-law, Teresa Wickes; as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Caryl's legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched as a sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, advocate, mentor, and friend. Her compassion, determination, and commitment to helping others made Montana a better place and left an enduring mark on her community.

A special thank you to Big Sky Hospice, especially Kara, Marc, Gretchen, and Jen, for the compassionate care they provided. Their dedication helped Caryl live with dignity, comfort, and quality of life, and our family will always be grateful for the kindness they showed throughout her journey.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church in Missoula, with a luncheon to follow in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Home through the YWCA of Great Falls. ywcagreatfalls.org

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