An old friend of the family made this music video in memory of my mother recently. Frank De la Marre is a singer songwriter who wrote this song after John Denver passed away. Thank you Frank, it’s beautiful!

Carol Jean Jolgren 5/11/1934 – 9/30/2008

* We had a wonderful afternoon on Saturday and we want to thank all of our friends and family who were able to be with us to help celebrate Carol’s life! Over 90 people gathered together on a sunny November afternoon catching up, telling stories, and sharing sweet, sweet memories. The house was filled with much laughter and only the occasional tear, just as our mother would have wanted:)

After a long and courageous battle with the lung disease bronchiectasis, Carol passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 30, 2008 at the age of seventy-four. Although our hearts are broken, we are thankful we had time with her at the end of her life to say those things that often become regrets when a life comes to an end suddenly. The love of her four children, her grandchildren, her great-granddaughter, and her devoted husband Lee gave her the strength to bear a very difficult illness. And as sad as we are to let her go, we believe that she is at peace now, no longer struggling for each breath and most likely hosting one helluva a great party with her beloved sister Maxine for the many friends and relatives who met her on the other side:)

In accordance with Carol’s wishes her body was cremated after her corneas were donated to the Gift of Life Donor program. The family held an intimate hillside service with clergy in a park that concluded with the Lord’s Prayer and the release of twenty white balloons. As we watched the balloons float up into a perfect autumn sky, we could almost feel Carol’s spirit soar with them. We know she was with us that afternoon, we know she will always be with us. Feel free to leave on-line condolences by clicking on comments at the top or bottom of this page (you do not have to fill in the e-mail or website boxes to comment).

When we saw the video below and the heard the song we thought it expressed our mother’s spirit perfectly. She grew up in a big family filled with lots of love, but it was also a family that had its share of challenges. Carol was one of fourteen children born to Eugene Marsack and Lily Labadie. Her father was a plasterer and her mother struggled day to day just to feed and clothe her large family. When Carol was a little girl she dreamed of marrying a good man and having a family of her own someday, making a home that was safe as well as nurturing, she dreamed of giving her children the childhood she didn’t have – and that is exactly what she did.

One of our favorite pictures of our mother taken by Uncle Walter on Belle Isle when she was a little girl.

School photo of a pretty young Carol.

The Marsack Family 1948(?), Carol is sitting next to her father.

Young and beautiful striking a pose!

Carol and Lee on a date in 1955.

Carol and Lee on their wedding day, June 9, 1956.

August 1962 Carol with Lilli, David and baby Amy in front of their new house on Mansfield in Detroit.

Sharing a laugh with her brother Warren and her sister Maxine, 1969.

All dressed up for Easter Sunday 1970.

Amy, Carrie, David, and Lilli with Carol and Lee on one of many Christmas Day’s spent at Grandma Marsack’s house on Vernier road in Grosse Pointe.

Carol and her sister-in-law and best friend Janet.

In 1980, holding her first grandchild, Andy.

Kissing baby Lizzi, March 1983.

May 1984 at Grandma Marsack’s house. Carol is holding Andy, Lily Marsack is holding Lizzi, Carrie is standing behind Lilli with Jenny.

Carol with her mother Lily.

Welcoming a new granddaughter to the world, Mandy, February 1988.

Mom and Dad sneaking a smooch on the beach.

On the Gulf in Florida.

Summer of 2002, Mom , Dad and their four “kids”.

Moving day at the house on Evergreen in Plymouth.

Family portrait in the backyard of the Turkey Run house with Carrie and her gang, Emily, Jenny, Robert and Bob in August 2004.

The couples married the longest and shortest length of time at Andy and Meagan’s wedding, August 20, 2005.

Mom and Dad’s 50th Wedding Anniversary Portrait

With David and Joann’s children, Evan, Steven, Davis and Laurel.

Mom, Dad, David and Joann during the champagne toast.

The whole gang got together for a barbecue in the summer of 2006 to celebrate Mom and Dad’s 50th Wedding Anniversary. It was a wonderful day full of memories that we will all cherish forever.

Mom and Dad’s first great-grandchild was born on May 10, 2007. Four generations posed just hours after the birth of little Ayrielle, Carol, Amy, Christy and the baby.

Mom, Dad, and Ayrielle in the Turkey Run backyard September 2007.

Mom and Charlie at his going away dinner before he left for Marine boot camp.

Thanksgiving 2007.

Carol lived her life fully, cherished her family deeply, and left behind a legacy of love that we know will help carry us through this very sad time.

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