Carol Julia Kiehl

Carol Julia Kiehl, beloved mother, grandmother, wife, friend and nurse, died December 28, 2014 at the age of 68, after a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. Carol left her legacy through both her family and her career as a nurse. Carol and husband Michael celebrated nearly 46 years of marriage and a happy life together of family, career and travel.

Carol is survived by her proudest accomplishment, her five children: Jennifer (husband Thomas and kids Luke and Elissa), Deborah (husband Martin and kids Hannah and Livia), Sarah (husband Jaime), David and Rachel (husband Matt and daughter Natalie).

In 1996, Carol began her career as a nurse, first at Seton Hospital as an oncology nurse, and then for the last ten years, at Hospice Austin, providing gentle and compassionate end-of-life care. Carol was repeatedly recognized by the families of the patients she cared for as an "angel" in their lives. In addition to the compassion she brought to every family, Carol was dedicated to the orientation and processes for training new hospice nurses. She was always a strong and outspoken advocate for patient care and nursing. Carol loved her Hospice family, many of whom have become treasured family friends.

Carol was born on May 28, 1946 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. She attended Oklahoma State University, received a BS in Mathematics and was a member of Alpha Delta Pi. Carol began her career at IBM in 1968 and then devoted many years to raising her five children. During that time, Carol was a committed community member and citizen, serving (repeatedly) as a Girl Scout leader, PTA member, active in her neighborhood association, crossing guard, carpooler extraordinaire, member of Temple Beth Israel, and amazing mother. Carol was a master bridge player, playing weekly for most of her life. Carol also enjoyed quilting (winning first prize for her first quilt), cross stitch, and traveling with her husband, especially the family cruises with all the kids and grandkids. Carol was known as someone who always fought for who and what she believed in and it is that integrity, candor and heart that will be missed the most.

In addition to her beloved children and husband, Carol is survived by her sister Janet Reynolds, sister-in-law Claire Lefkowitz, and many dear friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy Maxine Smith and Robert Vincent Smith.

The family would like to sincerely thank Hospice Austin and the nurses at Christopher House for their compassionate care and ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Carol's name to Hospice Austin or to Hospice Austin's Christopher House at Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78759.

A memorial service will be held for friends and family and Carol's colleagues at Seton and Hospice Austin at Temple Beth Israel in Austin, Texas on January 9, 2015 at 11:00 A.M.