Carol Joyce Drinkwater

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Carol Joyce Drinkwater on April 12, 2025, at the age of 96. Carol was a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend to many. She had a warm personality, and most people knew her in Leisure Park as the woman with the lovely house and the flowers that she loved so much. Carol could be found in her yard, “digging in the dirt” as she liked to call it, every warm day. She was active in the Leisure Park community, volunteering to decorate the club house each month and was an avid card player.

Carol was born in Kendrick, ID in March 1929 in her grandmother’s house. Egnaz and Clarice Flaig were her proud parents, and Carol grew up with two sisters, Pat Kuykendall and Dona McFaddin. Carol spent her adolescent years in Kendrick and Orofino before moving to Coeur d’Alene for her senior year of high school.

Carol was a trained beautician and had her own hair salon in Post Falls above Farvers Market on Seltice Road aptly named “Carols Beauty Salon”. Spine issues shortened her hair stylist career. She held other numerous positions in CDA over the years including managing the restaurant at the CDA public golf course with her last job working for GTE Alaska prior to her retirement. Her favorite term was “well it was 100 years ago”.

Carol married Arthur Henson in June 1947, and they had a daughter, Linda. They later divorced and Carol married Robert West in 1952, and they had three sons: Mike, Steve and Mark. Later in life Carol married Harry Drinkwater. They had a wonderful life as snowbirds between Yuma, Arizona and Everett, Washington.

Carol is survived by her daughter, Linda Marchand (Joe) Kent, WA, son Michael West, Post Falls, ID, son Steven West (Dina) Post Falls, ID, son Mark West (Julie) Hayden, ID. Her grandchildren include Kami, Christopher, Ty and Jay. Emily, Steven, Tobin and Nick were Carol’s great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Harry Drinkwater.

A celebration of life will be held May 4th at 2:00pm at the Leisure Park Club House 1480 W. Leisure Dr. Hayden, ID. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to CDA Animal Shelter in the name of K-Dee, Carol’s beloved furry companion.

Arrangements by English Funeral Chapel, Post Falls.