It was with my deepest sorrow to hear that Carolyn had passed away.  I know that God brought her into my life for a reason. 

Having first met her at the wedding of my friends Jeff and Heidi Wilson, I then “by chance” ran across them again several years later at a missions conference in Colorado.  After that, when they moved to the Denver area and I was overseas, they “by chance” visited my church on the exact day my mission work in the Philippines was being presented.  As a result they chose to remain at that church and become members.  

Clearly it was not an accident that Dick and Carolyn came into my life, and after that they became two of my most ardent prayer partners.  I am sure that much of the fruit I have seen here in my missions work here in the Philippines is because of their prayers for me over many years. 

Yet it was not just this about which I so thank God. Carolyn was truly one of the most impactful people in my life in the example she set for me.  I have so often spoken of both her and Dick when I share with people about those I know who have truly displayed in their lives the glory and love of Christ. Everyone in the church here in the Philippines has heard of them. 

She and Dick were both people whose faces I considered like that of Moses’s when he came down from the mountain shining with the radiance of God.   The only difference is that they both shone with the glory of the New Covenant rather than the Old.  The glory on Moses' face was passing away, but as Carolyn and Dick grew older, the radiance of their character continued to grow brighter and brighter. 

It is truly my prayer that one day my character will shine for others as theirs did for me, and that some other young servants of Christ may be as inspired by my life in Christ as I was by theirs.

David Matthews


My wife Catherine composed this poem for Carolyn.  She felt honored and privileged to be able to share this poem at her final resting place with our family.

A Poem for Carolyn
by Catherine Reida

How might I remember you when you pass through heaven’s gate
Your homemade jams and jellys, your rolls of figure eights

I’ll remember a woman, steadfast and true
to her faith and her family.
She was a baker and a gardener too

She welcomed me with open arms into the family fold
Her heart, full of affection, goodness, grace and gold

She joined me on the bunny slopes and taught me how to ski
She showed me only kindness as she waited patiently

We shared a common passion of tending soil and planting seeds
An annual pair of garden gloves fulfilled her humble needs

When tears are shed and eulogies read
I’ll remember her fondly with words she has said
I wasn’t there, but it’s what I’ve been told
“Dan….breakfast is ready, your eggs are getting cold”

The time has now come for final goodbyes
As we celebrate her life through the tears in our eyes
Her love is always present, in our hearts it does dwell
Her spirit lives on in those memories and stories that we’ll tell.

by Catherine A. Reida

Dan Reida

Carolyn and I met at church in Colorado Springs over 17 years ago. We became fast friends and she once called us "kindred spirits." With a 25-year age difference between us, she mentored me in the ways of godly wisdom and helped me to see reality a little more clearly.  I asked her opinion on countless occasions about how to handle issues in my life. She often lent a perspective that alluded me since she was very practical in her thinking. Once I told her about a  choice I was contemplating, but she disagreed with me. She said in a sweet, loving, gentle voice, "Oh, Ruth, don't go down that road."  And I didn't. 

She also taught me how to say difficult things to people which she did with grace and truth. Once she took me with her to see a mutual friend to whom we needed to speak truth into her life. I learned to "see her in action." She did not back down from the truth but she spoke it with kindness. The pastor of our church called her the most balanced person he knew.  What a compliment!

I lost my mother many years ago to my father's alcoholism.  Carolyn filled the hole in my heart from feeling motherless. Once she even called me her daughter.  I felt very loved by her.

Her faithfulness to the Lord, to Dick, and to their children was exemplary. She was truly a godly woman. Proverbs 31:28-29 says: " Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: 'There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!'” That was Carolyn.

I shall miss her for the rest of my life.  Thank you for being my friend, Carolyn. 

There just are not enough kind souls in this world like my Aunt Carolyn.  There was always a warm welcome and a kind word.  God sent one of the best when He sent us Carolyn.  The example she  set and the work she did here has made a lasting impact on us all, those she served and those of us who observed.  We will miss Carolyn so very much, but we also know what a wonderful reunion there must be in heaven now.   She and Dick made the world a better place and we are all better people for having known them.  All our love to our cousins and family, 

What a privilege  and blessing to get to know Dick and Carolyn through the Bible study that I attended at their home. I was always happy to hear from Carolyn whenever she called me to bake cookies since we spent a few minutes chatting too. Our loss is heaven's gain.  Well done good and faithful servant for sure. 
Beverly Werner

Our deepest condolence to you for the passing away of your dear mother and grandmother and great-grandmother Carolyn. She was a loving mother to so many people, including me. I have been so blessed to know Carolyn and Dick personally and to visit them in September of 1994 in Colorado Springs for one month and to be in correspondence with them since 1992. I am so grateful they visited us several times in Tallinn, Estonia. We had such a good time together. Most of all I am so grateful for their prayers for me, my family and our church.
John 11:25
Our love and prayers are with you, especially on November 26th ...
Kertu Toots with family from Tallinn, Estonia.

As I’m sure many have stated, there was no one else like Carolyn. Carolyn was my spiritual mentor for years, always assuring me of the faithfulness of our God.
I serve several years with Dick and Carolyn in Steve and ministry. We had many laughs and many tears. Carolyn was a strong support for Dick, and a great example for any woman who wanted to be a woman of God.
One great memory I have of Carolyn is when we were having a women’s retreat where we decided some of the older women in the church would mentor some of the younger women in the church. There were many subjects to be covered such as child rearing, balancing home life with work, how to be a woman of faith, and even sex. To my surprise, Carolyn immediately volunteered to be the mentor in the area of sexual relations. I got such a kick out of that. Then I remembered after all, Carolyn and Dick had six children! I guess she knew a little bit about everything, not to mention she could out bake all of us.
Another fond memory I have of Carolyn is when she and Dick had a small pop-up trailer. They were looking for a place to store it and we offered our barn for their use. They offered to pay us monthly to rent our barn. We did not want any money from them but my husband Mark made an arrangement with Carolyn for a loaf of her handmade bread once a month. Carolyn joyfully delivered a fresh loaf of bread to us the first Sunday of every month at church. We definitely got the better end of that deal. I also recollect Carolyn’s breads bringing $35 a loaf at our church auction. 
Carolyn was a great support to us and our children and I could always count on her for prayer in any situation. I admired her steadfastness and her commitment to the Lord. I know she has a seat immediately next to Jesus at his table. Our family will truly miss her.



Carolyn and Dick visiting Jim and Marti Schroeder in Arcadia MI in 2006. This picture is taken at Sleeping Bear Dunes. 

Sincere regards to Dave, Paul, Dan, Diane, Tim, Mark and your families.  We are so sorry for the loss of Aunt Carolyn.  She and Uncle Dick were without a doubt two of the finest and most genuine people I have ever known. There's no doubt she was welcomed thru the gates of Heaven with open arms to rejoin Uncle Dick. It was an honor to know them both and call them family. Love to all... Bill & Carol Reida

So many memories at Springs Community. Stephen Ministry training in Orlando. We always knew Dick and Carolyn had a fast line to God. They were PRAYER WARRIORS. Carolyn’s bread was legendary! Heaven is rejoicing with her presence. I was so Blessed to have known Carolyn and Dick. I will always hear “Well Honey”. Well done thy good a faithful servant!


Even though I only met Carolyn once with her letters that we received she was a genuine person it was fantastic to welcome her into our family and we always enjoyed the letters that we received from her

OBITUARY

Carolyn L. Reida

January 7, 1929 – November 18, 2022

Olinger Hampden Mortuary, Cremation & Cemetery

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