Carroll, Karen 5/24/1942 - 1/25/2015 Parma Karen Ann Carroll of Parma passed to our lord on January 25, 2015 at the age of 72. Karen was born May 24, 1942 in Parma at the Gillman Family Farm on Wellman Road. In life she was loved as not only a wife, mother and grandparent, but also as an outstanding pillar of the community. For 35 years, as a humble cook for Western School District, she treated each child as if they were her own, and her co-workers as her extended family. Karen was blessed with a long list of personal achievements that she was proud of. These range from horseback riding and barrel racing, cooking, gardening, moped riding, and bowling, where she once appeared on the 70s hit TV series "Bowling for Dollars." She was preceded in death by her husband Richard; her parents, Rayola and Harold Gillman; and her brothers Jerome, Harold Jr. and Douglas. Survivors include her daughter, Jan Boepple of Canyon Lake TX; two sons, Rick and Steve; and two daughter-in-laws, Stella and Bridgette. Karen had nine loving grandchildren, James Smith of Austin, TX; Ryan Smith of Houston, TX; Adrienne and Brad Carroll of Traverse City; and Karen Marie, Riki, Gunnar, Vanessa and Kasey Carroll of Parma. Siblings include Patricia (Charles) Rumsey, Howard (Pat) Gillman, Carole Baker, and Kevin (Kelly) Gillman. She also has many nieces and nephews. She has fond memories of spending time with her many friends, including Chuck Baker, Marty and Debbie Crawford, Bonnie Randolph, Ginger Marsh, and countless others. Each breath she took in life she did with an exuberant joy and a heart overflowing with love. Her smile had a way of pushing the darkest times into nothingness, replacing it with an irreplaceable light and warmth that will remain with us for eternity. Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of Karen's life will be at Parma Baptist Church on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 1:00pm. As Karen enjoyed reading, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Parma Library via a donation box at the celebration.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
It may have been only nine years, but the pain of losing one of the bright lights in my life is still there!
Blaine Goodrich
Work
January 21, 2024
I am so very sorry to hear about Karen, and the tremendous loss for her family. I've never had the pleasure to meet Karen in person but she was my friend online and in that medium she was among the best of friends. I pray that you all find piece in your wonderful memories of Karen while you adjust to life without her physical presence. So please let the remembrance of the time spent with her and her returning home eradicate your feelings of sadness. You are all in my prayers.
Shakti Shirley Knighten
February 5, 2015
My deepest sympathy to the family. I have known Karen for many years when I also worked at the school.
Marvin Hartzog
February 4, 2015
My sincere condolences to the family of Karen Carrol. She made her mark at Western Middle School with her compassion toward the students, especially the neediest. I enjoyed her sense of humor as much as her honest opinions. May Karen rest in peace.
Karen C. The other Karen in the building
February 3, 2015
Your mom was an awesome person! she was gentle. and loving and always had a smile on her face. I so enjoyed bing her friend!! I never will forget how loving and caring she was to me and my son Shawn she will always and for ever be in my heart!!! I loved her like a older sister!!!
Connie Norman
January 30, 2015
To the Carroll Family, we are so sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful woman & a Great Person. I really enjoyed working with her. She will be greatly missed. Love Steve& Dawn Bradley
Dawn Bradley
January 30, 2015
Karen very important to me in my younger days. Her memory very precious to me. May she rest in peace.
Phil Garrison
January 30, 2015
Karen, you will be missed in the Hill Country of Texas. Rest in peace. Love,
Teri
January 29, 2015
Karen, you will be missed in the Hill Country of Texas. Rest in Peace. Love, Teri in San Marcos
January 29, 2015
I remember when she served lunch at Woodville I believe I was in 5th grade . I would take someone's tray up for seconds cause I forgot my lunch and didn't have any money and Karen would look at me and say Rex I don't believe you bought a lunch ticket today but I will let it go this time .it happened many times . I always liked her I would just smile and say thank you . Great person Karen you will be missed !
REX RAINEY
January 29, 2015
To the Carroll Family,
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Karen was such a wonderful lady who will be missed by many. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Dann and Lisa Wollet
January 29, 2015
So sorry for your loss Steve and family. You are all in my prayers.
Stephanie Videto-Hill
January 29, 2015
Stella and Family, What a terrific lady and great role model. Our hearts and prayers are with you.
Lorna Coury
January 29, 2015
Steve and family, So sorry for the loss of your Mom, she was special! A mom always holds a special place in her children's hearts!
Jeff, Tonia & Hayleigh Rice
January 29, 2015
I had the pleasure of working with Karen for over thirty years. Her love of our students at WMS was a source of inspiration to all of us. Her sense of humor and her wit ALWAYS brightened my day and everyone else that she came into contact with. A great cook wo mixed a hearty portion of love into everything she served and everyone she met.
Blaine Goodrich
January 28, 2015
So sorry for your loss.
Kathy Strong
January 28, 2015
Mom, as I read thru these, I smile, you were so loved. I pick up the clues of those who knew you, such as "Carnie", those that really knew you, know where that came from, also, flowers, and gardens, all things you loved. Texas will MISS YOU, Gruene will miss you and what you are now missing out on exploring Central Texas, it's amazing you would love loved it, but you can see it thru my eyes now. I LOVE YOU, I MISS YOU, LIKE YOU CANNOT IMAGINE. Give Pops a hug for me. Love your daughter, Pooh
Jan Boepple
January 28, 2015
Steve, Rick and Family, We're so sorry about the passing of your Mother. We're praying for God to be with you all at this most difficult time. We'll see you on Saturday. Take one day at a time. Deepest sympathy, Sue & Les Drake & Family.
Sue Drake
January 28, 2015
Karen, I know you are now walking peacefully,hand and hand with Jesus in God's garden. But I also know that when spring comes and our flowers start to bloom in our gardens..you will be walking with me there..Remember I love you always !!
Carole
January 28, 2015
What a special person Karen was. An easy smile, contagious laugh and to meet her for the first time you felt like you've known her your whole life. I owe her more than I could ever repay but she left an everlasting impression on me that I hope I can pay forward. Rest in Peace "Carnie" you did good.
Tracy Collier
January 28, 2015
Steve - keeping you and your family in my prayers at this time. Nancy
January 28, 2015
Rick, Steve and Jan.. so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a great person.
Penny (Wireman) Gillis
January 28, 2015
So sorry for your loss
January 28, 2015
So sorry for your family's loss. She will be missed!
Sheila
January 28, 2015
Loved her. She kept me out of trouble in school by putting me to work in the kitchen. She was a wonderful person.
marie feldpausch
January 27, 2015
Karen and husband are such a big part of my childhood memories... We all had so much fun together.. Especially at the horse shows, Blackman Rd Arena, Wellman Rd Arena, and Birchwood Arena..
Patricia [Pat] [Colleur] Jacobs
January 27, 2015
Prayers to the family during this difficult time.
Kristi & Kelsi Inman
January 27, 2015
So Sorry for your family's loss, many happy childhood memories of our families growing up on Church Street. Rest in Peace Karen
Vicki Croad-Parrott
January 27, 2015
My condolences to all family members of this beautiful lady. May she rest in peace now.
Lorraine Fischer
January 27, 2015
We have many fond memories of Karen and Dick riding at Birchwood Arena. Rest and peace Karen.
Bendy Little Wood
January 27, 2015
Todd and Tracy-So sorry for your loss. I remember "Aunt Karen" as my sweet lunch lady for many years.
Krista Picciotti
January 27, 2015
So sorry for the families' loss, Karen was a great lady special to all our families! She will be missed!
Angie Narsh
January 27, 2015
May you rest peacefully with our father in heaven. I will never forget your smiles and caring ways. You were the best lunch lady in all the world.
Jeffery Brown
January 27, 2015
I knew Karen thru my Sister and we all bowled together a long time ago. I also was on bowling for dollars in 79. RIP Karen, and prayers for the family at this time of loss.
January 27, 2015
I will forever treasure the times I had working with Karen and our conversations and her unbiased opinion on life matters. I love her so very dearly and will miss her tremendously. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
Cindy Vilminot
January 27, 2015
Grandma was the strongest & most caring person I've ever known in my life! You will be greatly missed, but never forgotten Grandma! Love DiDa
Ryan Smith
January 27, 2015
I will always love and miss you aunt karen love ur niece nikki gillman
nicole gillman
January 27, 2015
Rest in Peace Karen, Loving Thoughts, Prayers and Comfort to Jan & Family
Lauri Hill Wood
January 27, 2015
Kay Bartell
January 27, 2015
Tim Nash
January 27, 2015
It was a pleasure getting to know Jan's mom over many conversations and sometimes getting to talk to her over speaker phone. I even called her mom #2. It's sad I will not get to meet her in person but know one day we will meet. My prayers are with everyone, family and friends. May she rest in peace.
Audrey Kay Fueller
January 27, 2015
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