Carolyn Strittmather

Carolyn Sue (Parsons) Strittmather, 62, of Vermilion, Ohio, passed away peacefully and entered into the loving arms of Jesus on September 23, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born on October 19, 1962, in West Virginia to Alma Parsons, Carolyn moved to Ohio at a young age. She grew up with a generous heart, a love of laughter, and just the right amount of mischief that followed her through life. She graduated from Vermilion High School in 1980, where her energy and charm were unmistakable-she was a cheerleader and was even voted May Day attendant, foreshadowing the life full of joy, leadership, and laughter she would carry into adulthood.

On February 27, 1981, Carolyn married her high school sweetheart, soulmate, and lifelong best friend, Ronald Strittmather. Whether Ron willingly gave in to Carolyn's persistent pursuit or was a victim of matrimonial Stockholm syndrome remains a family mystery-but what was undeniable was that they shared 44 years of deep love, laughter, and unwavering partnership. He was the love of her life.

Together they were blessed with two daughters, the lights of her life (and occasionally a source of gray hair): Jaclyn Atherton and Samantha Howard (Brian). She loved them both fiercely- cheering them through every milestone, counseling them through every misstep, and ultimately becoming their confidante, biggest fan, and best friend. Carolyn was also a devoted grandmother who adored her grandchildren - Grace Rangel (Jeffery), Charles Atherton, Allison Howard, Margaret Atherton, Madison Howard, Emma Atherton, and Paige Howard. Each brought immense joy to her life and could always count on her love, her cheering from the sidelines, and most likely, an impromptu cousin sleepover with Granny and Papa.

She also leaves behind her beloved furbabies, Bella and Toby, who are undoubtedly still looking for her in the kitchen. Carolyn is survived by her siblings Robin Eastwood, Mark Parsons, Timothy Parsons, John Parsons (Kimberly), and Jason Parsons (Joanna); her mother-in-law, Nihla Strittmather; her in-laws John Strittmather (Julie) and Jeanne Scholl (Michael); and more nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins than anyone could count. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Aubrey and Delphia Belcher, father-in-law, Jack Strittmather, and her beloved dog Roxie.

Children were Carolyn's lifelong passion. She dedicated her life to both her own and countless others. Throughout the years, she cared for little ones in her home, guided preschoolers at the Vermilion YMCA, and supported special-needs students of all ages as a paraprofessional for Firelands Local Schools. She cared for each child as her own, and each carried away a piece of her generous heart. Whether she was cheering at an extracurricular event, offering encouragement in the classroom, or opening her home to neighborhood kids, Carolyn's nurturing spirit and boundless patience left a lasting mark.

Beyond her work, Carolyn lived life fully, finding joy in simple pleasures. She possessed both a sharp wit and a fierce competitive streak that shone in every card game, board game, and family gathering she organized. She danced and sang in the kitchen, loved camping trips, reading and crossword puzzles or word searches, an addictive game of Tetris, and cruising in the Jeep or Rambler. She relished discovering treasures at antique malls or craft fairs, made it her mission to discover new recipes for casseroles, dips, and desserts, and - oddly enough - immensely enjoyed mowing the lawn, finding it relaxing and satisfying.

A passionate Phantom of the Opera fan, she also enjoyed the music of Tom Jones, Grease, country music, and the playlist she shared with Ron. What she loved most, though, was when Ron playfully riled her up, agitating her until she gave him that look - a darting glare that others thought meant trouble, but which secretly held a glint in her eyes; a hidden smile meant only for him; a playful dance between them that spoke of both laughter and love. Carolyn had a gift for turning even the most ordinary day into something fun. She was the life of every gathering-quick to laugh, fiercely competitive, and always ready with a new game or craft for her grandchildren to enjoy. In her later years, she especially cherished time at her cottage, overlooking the river, where peace, joy, and laughter met in equal measure - her little piece of heaven on earth.

Carolyn was selfless, loyal, hardworking, funny, and endlessly loving. She carried with her the faith she found in Jesus and loved attending A Fresh Wind Church, where she was joyfully baptized in 2019. Her presence was a gift to every child she taught, every friend she laughed with, and every family member she loved. She will be remembered for her fierce devotion, her humor, a knack for making everyone feel welcome, the warmth she brought to every room, and her ability to make even the simplest moments unforgettable.

A celebration of Carolyn's life will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 12:00pm, at A Fresh Wind Church, 45155 Telegraph Rd., Elyria, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you honor Carolyn's memory by donating to the Friendship APL (where she adopted her beloved Roxie), donating to Special Olympics Ohio, caring for a child, sharing a meal, or dancing and singing in the kitchen-just as she so often did.