Carol Bullard

January 3, 1958 – April 9, 2026

After a short and extremely courageous battle with cancer, Carol Sellers Bullard, was called home to our lord and savior on April 9, 2026. Friends may call at the Garner Funeral Service on Monday, April 13th from 3-7 pm. A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Mary's Church in Potsdam on Tuesday, April 14th at 11:00 am with Rev. Scott Belina celebrant. Burial will take place in the spring at St. Mary's Cemetery. Condolences for the Bullard family can be shared @www.garnerfh.com.

Born January 3, 1958, to Charles and Marie (Sellers) Bullard in Potsdam, NY, Carol attended the Congdon Campus School before joining the Potsdam Central Class of 1976. She played basketball during her high school years and remained a lifelong supporter of the Potsdam Sandstoners as she frequented many sporting events, plays, and concerts for lots of her nieces and nephews. Carol often spent her evenings jumping from one field to another or moving from the courts to the rinks all in one day, just to make sure she had a chance to see as many contests as she could.

While still in high school Carol began working at SUNY Potsdam as a book runner. This eventually led to several years working at the campus store, before joining the college’s facilities team. She worked there for just shy of 20 years before she decided to retire to care for her mom full time.

Carol dedicated her life to helping others and putting a smile on their faces. Aunt Carol’s massive Easter egg hunts became an annual family tradition. She would never say no to serving as a lifeguard to a great-niece or nephew who wanted to swim in the river – no matter how cold the Raquette River might be that day Carol was happy to join them and stayed in until they were ready to get out. Even to the very end when Carol was a patient in the UVM Hospital she became known as “the star lady” brightening every single staff member’s day by handing out star stickers. As a testament to who she was, she continued to spread joy even through her own pain.

One of Carol’s favorite past times was travelling. In her early years she ventured to places like Cancun and the Dominican Republic. In more recent years she got to see Alaska and was planning a trip to Nashville with the local senior group. She loved to attend BINGO nights, happy just to be there even if she didn’t win big and was beginning to get out more with friends, going to a few dances and dressing up for Halloween. Holidays were important for Carol. She had built quite a collection of decorations for every time of the year. Driving by her lifelong home on Grant St. in Potsdam meant taking a moment to enjoy her ever changing displays.

Carol was predeceased by both of her parents, Charles and Marie Bullard, a sister-in-law Susan Bullard, and a great-niece Lilly O’Neill. She is survived by her siblings Elizabeth Austin (Bill), Charles Bullard (Susan), Mary Beth Metzler (David), Barbara Russell (Richard), and Margaret Bullard, as well as her uncle Carl Sellers Jr. and a large extended family of treasured cousins. Aunt Carol leaves behind two generations of nieces and nephews, including Emily, Kerry, Katherine and Ella O'Neill, Elliot Austin, Bryant, Sarah, William and Susannah Bullard, Jack, Jennifer, Owen, and Molly Bullard, Abigail, Kyle, and Elliot Tendick, Andrew, Bre, Annemarie, and Eloise Bullard, Kirsten, Eric, Sophia, and David Beltakis, Danielle, Will, and Genevieve Salley, Patrick and Kristen Haley, John, Katelyn, Julian and Jordan Haley, Torey, Mary, Emma, Anna, and Elizabeth Russell, and Joseph, Tommiann, Josephine and Thomas Russell.

Contributions in Carol’s memory can be made to Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley where she had dedicated time learning the importance of care giving. Carol was also on the receiving end of amazing Hospice care through the McClure Miller Respite House affiliated with the University of Vermont Medical Center. Our family wishes to extend our many thanks to Carol’s team of physicians, especially Dr. Elise Everett, and the many nurses who cared for her so well.