Susan Carroll

Susan “Sue” Carroll, (née O’Brien), 79, of Palos Park, IL passed away in her home of 48 years on October 16, 2024 surrounded by her children in her final days as the end of her eleven year encounter with the disease of dementia ended in peace.

Devoted wife of the late Thomas Brendan Carroll, treasured daughter of the late Jean O’Brien, loving mother of Matt (Stacey), Katie Gira (Jamie), Mary Brigid (John), Tim (Katie), and Thomas. Proud grandmother of James, Kevin, Molly, Liam, and Jack. Beloved cousin to the Merritts and Fitzgeralds. Kind sister-in-law of the late Eugene, Robert (Jeanne), John, Kevin, and Mike Carroll, and Mary Carroll Jacques (James), Eileen (Thomas) Morrison, and Ed (Jackie) Carroll. Cherished aunt of all the Carroll, Morrison, and Perlongo nieces and nephews, and a loving friend to all. 

An only child, Susan, lived for her mom, husband, and five children. She was a voracious, lifelong reader who was described by her mother as preferring to spend her days as a child quietly reading books. Even while raising a large brood, reading remained her steady passion, and she could be found with a book any time she wasn’t setting a table, cooking three homemade meals a day for a family of seven, feeding or letting out a dog, playing a board game with her children, leading a Girl Scout troop, volunteering at school, or taking kids water skiing around the lake at the Carroll family summer home on Paw Paw Lake in Michigan.

Susan adopted her son’s love of sports and became a dedicated, passionate Notre Dame football, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Blackhawks super fan. She often entered college basketball contests with her son’s friends. She studied bracketology in her war room every March and her brackets frequently took first prize.

Susan’s life was not always easy. She was fiercely and tirelessly loyal and did the best with what life sent her way.

For eleven years, the disease of dementia slowly impacted Susan’s essence, but, her kindness, quick wit, strong will, good humor, and love for her family never waned. She will be remembered always by each of her five children for her unconditional love.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 10 AM at Our Lady of the Woods Catholic Church 10731 W. 131st Street Orland Park, IL 60462. There will be no visitation before Mass, but there will be a celebration of Susan’s life after. All are welcome. The location of that celebration is different from the church, and will be announced at the conclusion of Mass. In lieu of flowers, please consider saying a serenity prayer for those who suffer from the disease of addiction or donate in Susan’s name to the Pathway Program at The Center at 12700 Southwest Highway Palos Park, IL 60464.