Carol Jean (Snowball) Balliet passed away peacefully at home on January 30, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.

Carol was born on December 24, 1937, in Columbus, Ohio. Her father, Ralph Richard Snowball, served in the Navy during World War II and later as Chief of Surgery at Lima Memorial Hospital. Her mother, Wilma (Wolfe) Snowball, was a nurse and proud mother of her two daughters, Carol and the late Janis Snowball.

Carol had a sparkling personality and spirited nature. She loved a good joke and could talk with anyone–a skill she learned from attending nine different grade schools during the war. Carol graduated from Central High School, Lima, Ohio, in 1955 and majored in English and drama at Miami University of Ohio. Carol and her first husband, Lee Balliet, lived in Austin, Texas, with their young family before moving to Morgantown, West Virginia, where Carol earned a master's degree in education and taught civics and social studies at Morgantown High School.

Carol moved to Pittsburgh, PA, in 1979, where she worked at the University of Pittsburgh's Learning Research and Development Center. In 1983, Carol became the first executive director of the Ben Franklin Technology Center of Western Pennsylvania. She worked tirelessly in that role to advocate for a new regional economy and was proud of the many start-up companies the organization funded and supported. Even more, Carol was proud of her accomplished staff, many of whom became dear friends over the years.

After retiring from this position in 1991, Carol began a new adventure in New Mexico, where she lived on the Ramah Navaho Reservation and worked as an administrator in the Ramah Navaho School District. Carol enjoyed these years immensely, forging close friendships and a deep reverence for Navaho culture and community. Carol later settled in San Antonio, Texas, where she became an active member of the Friends Meeting of San Antonio and a dedicated volunteer with the local NAACP. While she loved the Texas climate, Carol always held Pittsburgh close to her heart, which she proudly expressed with her Steelers tattoo.

Carol's son, George Balliet, was a faithful caretaker in her final years, for which her family will be forever grateful. In addition to her son George, Carol is survived by her daughters Catherine Balliet Stemple of St Albans, England, and Rachel (Greg) Colker of Pittsburgh. She will remain in the hearts of her six grandchildren, Lloyd Stemple, Eleanor Stemple, Adela Stemple, Madeline Colker, Jacob Colker, and Simon Colker.

Her family would also like to thank the healthcare and hospice staff who brightened her days with their exceptional care and friendship.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to the Friends Meeting of San Antonio at 7052 N Vandiver Rd, San Antonio, TX.