This Thursday, we celebrate as we hope you do, with family and friends, those near and dear to us.
There is a sadness that Carol is no longer with us, but we’re thankful for her memory and our shared times together.
Here’s a photo of Carol with grand-daughter Chloe from Thanksgiving 2004, Chloe’s very first.
Carol was my only Aunt.
As a child, in my eyes, she was kind, funny, glamorous and adventuresome. I was jealous of my cousins- Carol spoiled them with sparkling colorful things. She made sure they had a home that was clean and fun and warm. I remember her big laugh that always embarrassed my cousin Sharon. I thought it was great that the world could hear her enthusiasm over a silly joke. She always gave me little presents that meant so much; her high school Autograph book, from which I practiced and copied her beautiful script style until it was mine as well. Her gold mazzuzzah, which I thought was so beautiful, I wore it around my neck until I eventually lost it in a soccer field in Mexico where we had set up camp with a Mexican Circus. She introduced me to the smell that is my signature smell still: tea rose. She always showed an interest in me as a person and that made me feel so special.
Carol always had great friends. She prided herself in the fortune to be a part of such wonderful characters, and made sure to plan lots of adventures with them. She chose unusual, intelligent and beautiful women to socialize with. They say you can tell a lot about a person by the people they hang with.
As I grew up, I became quite busy with first my career and then a family and then a move half across the country. Carol always made the extra effort to get together, to my shame, I did not return the effort. Going to visit her at her beloved beach home never happened.
I think that Carol Lived her life to the fullest, always impatiently steaming ahead. I think she was a great addition to this world and affected it in a positive way. People laughed because of her. They did new things because of her. They were irritated sometimes because of her, but only because she cared so much to see positive results.
Family dynamics are such a strange creature, we all have this strange chemistry together, Love, frustration, Love, expectations, Love, disappointment, Love, Hope, Laughter, a big adventure of life as one, and many more that come and go through it. I am so very glad that Carol was a part of my family and life. She was a strong, burning light of Joy, interest, proactivity, and Love. I do really, really miss her, I still cannot believe she is gone.
Lots of Love and thoughts Carol, where ever you are right now.
Ingrid.
Here’s Carol on her hotel deck enjoying a brisk evening, along with some shots of town and several striking sundown pictures she snapped.
From October 2002. Carol communing with Buddha, enjoying a Japanese dinner, a bit of outdoor activity and a brilliant sunset (photography courtesy Carol).
She was a charming, admirable human being. I was pleased to have known her.
Barbara J. Toney,, Board Member, Long Beach Chapter, AARP
Carol was chapter president when she passed.
Some prized photos of Carol’s vacation to the Grand Canyon in September of 2005 with her good friend Abby.
A couple of snapshots from Scott, showing Mom lounging in the pool.
Grand-daughter Chloe and Granny…
May 23, 2004. Granny Carol and new arrival, Chloe.
September 24, 2004. At the changing table.
September 24, 2004. A tender moment.
October 9, 2004. Granny and Chloe sharing a laugh.
January 2, 2005. Lunchtime.
January 29, 2005. Sitting up with a little help.
August 14, 2005. A visit from Granny. Clifford the big, red dog looks on.
August 14, 2005. Chloe admires Granny’s necklace.
August 14, 2005. Granny makes diaper changing fun.
June 24, 2007. Chloe and Granny do a little light reading on the deck.
Cousin Francine having fun at the beach.
