Age 84
Sister Carol grew up in Auburn, Michigan, where the Sisters of Mercy taught her at St. Joseph Parish School. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in Detroit on September 7, 1955, making her perpetual vows on August 16, 1958.
Sister Carol’s life included ministries in elementary and secondary education, as a parish associate and in alternative health therapy. Altogether, Sister Carol spent 19 years teaching Michigan children in Grand Haven, Reese, Traverse City, Bay City and Lansing, and Iowa children in Epworth and Independence. Her educational experience also included serving as a teacher and staff member at Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Later, she served as program director at St. Gertrude Retirement Center in Grand Rapids, as coordinator of the Aging Apostolate for the Gaylord Diocese and as pastoral associate at St. Benedict Parish, Pontiac. Along the way, she earned degrees from Mercy College of Detroit, University of Dayton and St. John Seminary.
When Sister Carol received a diagnosis of a slowly progressive muscular disease, she became interested in alternative health therapy. She enrolled in a year-long study at the Myomassethics Center and soon opened a massage center, working with other alternative health therapists for several years. In 2009, Sister Carol retired to McAuley Center, where she enjoyed life with other Mercys, especially her younger sister, Sister Mary Lourdes.
Sister Carol’s warm and approachable manner endeared her to the staff as well as the sisters there. Although confined to a battery-operated wheelchair, Sister Carol covered the halls at McAuley, stopping to visit along the way. She maintained an active love of life, while enjoying music, reading, good conversations and extended time for prayer.