Carol Jean Besore

Hear Ye, Hear Ye In honor of the recent coronation across the pond and the magnificent life of Carol Jean Besore, this is a proclamation in tribute of Carol aka Mom, Fram, Frammy, FraFra, Kara, Pinhead, Aunt Carrot, The Birthday Fairy, Auntie Care, Jerry, Squiggy, Mrs. Besore, Our California Poppy, and The One, The Only. Take note of the following for a full and happy life: Feeling bad about your physique? Then get down on your hands and knees and thank God for your beautiful body. Work on your tenor, soprano or alto for everyone should be a singing birthday fairy for those they love. Buck up. Forgiveness should be the go-to move. Look out the window — you’ll be amazed at what you see and think about. Read the works of poet Mary Oliver and ask yourself everyday what will you do with “your one wild and precious life.” Everything will be better in the morning. Listen to smart people on the radio or tv — and read. Drink a good cup of coffee. It will put hair on your chest. When in doubt, know everything will be allllllllllllllllllright. Rise to the occasion and sing for your supper. Ask questions — you’ll learn something AND make someone feel good. Money can never be wasted on good English BlueWare. Build your vocabulary. Be kind to the animals — we have so much to learn from them. Ladies, always wear lipstick. Spitting is allowed at the mention of certain members of the royal family (wink, wink). You are believed in so you should believe in yourself. Do not stare at people with your mouth open. Do not use curse words for swearing is truly the language of the illiterate. Vote for people who are looking out for those needing help and representation. And if you don’t vote due to a lack of a belief in the system or candidates, do something about it. Adopt a dog. Adopt a cat…for animals make a home. Gird your loins. Watch Kevin Richardson aka “The Lion Whisperer” to learn that the nugget to a successful relationship is trust. Eat good food. Forget an apple a day. Instead, an orange a day (or five or six) keeps the doctor away. Stay in your own lane. Recognize we are a timid people — life is short so live it. Regrets are a heavy thing. Hang them up rather than wearing them. Be cheerful. And lastly but most importantly, lead with love and leave with love for love is all there is. Our family’s dearest one, Carol Jean Besore (nee Strain), surrounded by her four devoted daughters, died peacefully at the age of 91 on May 17, 2023. Carol was born on September 7, 1931 in San Jose, California. Her mother, Grace Jeanette Talbot, was an educator and her father, Dr. Harold Henry Strain, an esteemed biochemist. She and her older sister, Bonnie Lee (Jaques) Strain, lived a wonderful life in northern California with time spent in Copenhagen, Denmark, as young children along with several years in Oahu-Hawaiian Islands. Carol graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1949. She decided she wanted to go East to college and got as far as Wisconsin. At Beloit College, she majored in English and Theology, but she discovered Beloit’s Theatre in the Round. She studied under Kirk Denmark and played in everything from Shakespeare to Lillian Helman’s “The Children’s Hour.” (Carol played the villainous role so well, fellow coeds would hiss at her as she walked to class.) She also pledged Delta Gamma. Carol fell in love with and married the wonderful, hard-working Dick Besore upon graduation and went on to have four daughters — a feat in and of itself if you know them. Carol was employed at Butler as the liaison between the Indianapolis Performing Arts and Butler University. Over the years, she gave her enthusiasm and talents to The Children’s Bureau of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Zoo Docent program, Second Helpings, Meals on Wheels, Oak Park Guild, Friends of the White River, and served as the Hoosier State Chairman for Girl Scout Cookies. Carol was proceeded in death by her parents; husband, Richard (Dick) L. Besore; and son-in-law, Charley Kirk. She is survived by her daughters: Debi Schilling, Missy Healy (Craig), BeBe Denton (Rusty), and Carrie Kirk (partner John Vanausdall), and by her grandchildren: Carolyn Schilling, Mac Schilling (Morgan), Sam Schilling (Lisa), Connor Malander (James), Jack Denton, Ted Denton (Brie Weimer), Will Kirk, and George Kirk. She is also survived by several delightful great-grandchildren, her dear sister Bonnie Jaques, and loving nieces and nephews. Her family would like to thank the services and care from Compassus Hospice (R.N. Heather Staten), the fleet of caring and proficient healthcare providers at St.Vincent Ascension Heart Hospital, and her physicians, Dr. Thomas Schleeter, Dr. Sandeep Joshi, Dr. Ashlie Olp, and Dr. Harin Patel. Memorial contributions may be made to IndyHumane (fka Indianapolis Humane Society), the Marquette Manor Foundation for Benevolence, and Marquette Manor (Employee Appreciation Fund). If you would like to share a memory or thought, please email to [email protected]. As per Carol’s wishes, there will be no service. Instead, family and friends are encouraged to take some time and look out the window.