Biography of Carolyn Marie

 On June 18,1959 Carolyn Marie was born. Carolyn was six weeks premature and only weighed three pounds thirteen ounces. She struggled for her life as she lost additional weight but after six weeks she was able to go home at five pounds one ounce. Her parents George and Katherine were finally able to hold their precious daughter for the first time. This was a very emotional time since they were not allowed in the nursery. It wasn’t like today when parents can help with their infant’s care. They couldn’t even hold her little fingers. They could only view her from a window. And many times the drapes were closed. Carolyn survived another battle as an infant with a very high fever which resulted in convulsions. George recalls, tearfully, having to bathe her with ice water to bring the temperature down. But Carolyn was a survivor and grew to be a loving and happy child. Katherine can remember her smiling face as she and her brother George were making (and partaking of) mud pies. As they grew older they would take their sand pails and pick wild blueberries. Their buckets were full and their faces stained from sampling their harvest. As Carolyn’s family grew with the birth of her brother Mike and her sister Lucille, Carolyn became a loving caregiver to both. She was always eager to help with their care. This was her spirit, to nurture and love. Carolyn carried this on with her own children. She had an incredible love for her family and friends. 

Katherine’s last memory of Carolyn was in August of 1998. Katherine drove to see Carolyn from Arizona, where she lives. One day, while she was at work, Megan, Steven and Katherine prepared a Thanksgiving dinner complete with their famous pumpkin cookies. Carolyn was surprised to come home from work with dinner ready. She was always the one to provide for her family.  Little did Katherine know that would be the last time she would celebrate with her daughter. Carolyn was killed just before Thanksgiving.

Carolyn had her first child at 17, her daughter Melissa in 1976.  A year later her son Tim was born.  Then at 24 she had another son Joseph. She would finally move to Redding to settle on a piece of land outside of town in the woods.  Her husband and her built a house from the ground up.  There was no electricity but they did what they could to make it comfortable for the kids.  Carolyn became the ultimate homemaker.  She sewed clothes with an old Singer pedal sewing machine from candlelight.  She cooked and cleaned with the bare minimum.  She took care of animals, planted gardens, and taught her children survival skills.  It was a hard life but they did what they could.

Carolyn started working for St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in 1986.  It was very convenient that Carolyn was able to work across the street from the school where her children attended.  She worked at the Church Rectory as an accountant. For the next twelve years, Carolyn formed life long friendships and developed strong bonds with her friends' kids.  They supported each other outside of work and spent many holidays together.  They became family. 

Soon, another child was on the way and Stephen was born in 1989 and then another girl Megan in 1991. Carolyn left her husband when she was pregnant with Megan. She moved all her children into town.  Over the next two and a half years a bitter divorce ensued. Her oldest children were teenagers and the divorce took its toll on them resulting in separation for many years between Carolyn and the younger siblings. The courts awarded Carolyn sole custody. She worked very hard working several jobs to make ends meet never receiving child support.

Struggling herself, she extended her love and support to so many other people.  She would feed the hungry, she would help people clean their homes, bake for others, help organize fundraisers for people in need, she would listen to people’s woes, visit friends in the hospital, all because she was loving and supportive.  Carolyn would do all of this without fanfare or recognition.  Nobody knew how many people Carolyn actually touched until her funeral.  

Carolyn died when she was only 39 years old.  Her children were 22, 21, 16, 9 and 7. Her funeral was a testimony to her life.  There were over 900 people in attendance. All of whom she helped, people she listened to, people she loved.  And, there was an outpouring of love for her.

Carolyn had hopes and dreams also like all of us. Carolyn loved the law.  At one point in her life, she wanted to be a court reporter.  She enjoyed helping people with their court appearances.  She enjoyed helping with their paperwork.  She always possessed this love for the law.  That dream never faded.  Even though she had to work several jobs to make ends meet, she continued to dream, but never realized that dream.    

One of the best memories family and friends have of Carolyn is the infamous birthday parties she gave for Stephen and Megan three days before her death.  Stephen turned nine and Megan turned seven.  Their birthday’s, just one day apart, Carolyn insisted that each person get their own party.  She cooked, baked and prepared her home for ALL her children that day.  It was the first time she had all her children under the same roof after all those years. The pure joy Carolyn had those days was contagious. Carolyn laughed easily.  A person who can laugh easily has much joy in their heart. With family and friends celebrating day after day it was a moment frozen in time we will never forget. She would be taken from us four days later.  

Carolyn is alive in each of us.  We all have been touched by her, and we all are better for it. Carolyn Marie will ALWAYS be in our hearts. Until we meet again...