SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA -- On Oct. 26, 2009, Carol Miriam McConnell passed away after a short illness.
Carol was born in Saginaw to Fred and Margaret Golden, the second oldest of her siblings, Weston, Don, and Janet. Her departure will leave a tremendous void in the many lives of those she enthusiastically mentored and encouraged along her path.
An excellent student in school and life, she graduated from Saginaw's Arthur Hill High School in 1935 as the class Valedictorian. Motivated to "make something of myself" during the Great Depression, she continued her education at the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science and the Arts on a Wells-Stone academic scholarship. In 1938, Carol received a B.S. degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. She remained a life-long U of M football fan.
When a job in social work finally appeared, Carol jumped at it. She was given a caseload of 125 families on the industrial east side of Saginaw, an area of low incomes, transient families, and high crime. Here she learned the inequities of northern segregation, and developed a lifelong empathy for victims of social injustice. While working in Saginaw, she went on a blind date to hear a big band in Flint and met her husband-to-be, John. The relationship blossomed and a year later, on the first day of spring in 1942, they were married just before John was called up for duty in WWII. When John was assigned permanent duty at Sheepshead Bay Coast Guard Station outside New York City, Carol was able to join him there. While in New York she worked for an agency that provided foster home care for children in Westchester County.
After the war ended, and after giving birth to three sons, John and Carol decided to move to Chesaning, where John could fulfill his dream of owning a small business and Carol would raise the boys. The baby boom had created a shortage of teachers, so after some substitute teaching, Carol attended night classes, earned a teaching degree, and changed careers to elementary education. The position was the perfect blend of her two passions -- helping others and continuous learning. After 10 years of teaching, when John's health issues threatened the sustainability of the family business, she joined him at McConnell, Inc. With Carol's involvement the business continued to thrive, but in 1981 retirement came calling. Carol resigned her position as President of the Village Council, they sold their home and business, and moved to Traverse City.
After traveling Europe extensively with Elderhostel programs, Carol happened to read an article on helping illiterate adults to read, and a new volunteer opportunity presented itself. She got involved with the Traverse Area Literacy Council helping older students and adults learn to read, providing them a chance to dramatically change their lives. "My love of reading motivates me to pass it on," she wrote on her tutor information sheet. For the next 25 years she progressed beyond tutor and coordinator to eventually becoming president of the council. She tirelessly spoke to any group who would listen in order to bring awareness to the cause and fulfill the ongoing financial needs of the organization. For her efforts, at the age of 75, she was awarded a Traverse City "Good Neighbor Award," and in May of 1998 she was named an Honorary Lifetime Member of Literacy Council.
Acutely aware that "needing to be needed was vital for a healthy retirement," Carol also volunteered at the new Traverse City Dennos Museum, greeting visitors, ushering performances at the Milliken Auditorium, and helping at various events.
In 2003, during a visit to their family in California, Carol decided this was to be their new home state. They put the house on the market, packed everything in a moving van, and moved to Santa Rosa. Vineyard Commons Retirement Residence became their new home and they immediately acquired a whole new set of wonderful friends and engaging activities. Here, in 2007, the couple celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. And it was here, with her family at her bedside, she was able to say goodbye and leave this world a better place, because of her presence.
She is survived by sons, Tom and Susan (Greketis) McConnell of Leland, Gary and Denise (Shaheen) McConnell of Novato, Calif.; daughter-in-law, Alba (Martinez) McConnell of Northville; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; her brothers, Weston and Donald; her sister, Janet; son, John Russell Jr.; and daughter-in-law, Kris (Urich).
A contribution in Carol's memory may be made to the Grand Traverse Area Literacy Council, P.O. Box 4119, Traverse City, MI 49685; or the charity of your choice. Cards and letters can be directed to Tom McConnell, 66 Highland Drive, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653; or Gary McConnell, 1221 Lynwood Drive, Novato, CA 94947.
