
Carol was kind, compassionate and funny with a great sense of humor and a great laugh.  When I was young, I had a hard time in school.  She helped me study, and she would say "I understand ~ it's not easy for me either." She was always doing things for me.  Once, she was making a dress for me for a special party.  She wasn't finished making it when she was invited to a slumber party.  She packed it up and brought it to the party, and finished it there.  I still remember the dress ~ it was beautiful.  Then, once when I was having a very difficult time in my life, Carol came to Houston and stayed with me.  I think she stayed a week.  She had an Angel that she wore all the time.  Before leaving, she took it off and put it on me.  She said "my Angel will take care of you and I'll get it back the next time I'm here."  Well, it was at least a year later when she returned, and she had an Angel for me, and also one for Pat and Mary Kay.  I'm wearing my Angel right now.  Carol was buried wearing hers.  I cherish these memories and so many more.   RIP my Beautiful big Sister.           Love, Frankie



We have been blessed. The Casey, Schiel, and Tortorice kids have been blessed with aunts and uncles that are and have been second to none! People say, “the best aunt” or “the best uncle”...well, we’ve lived it. Losing Aunt Carol has left us all with a hole in our hearts we won’t soon recover from. I’ll always remember laughter. Others have said it and I’ll repeat it. I never heard a cross word from Aunt Carol. Only joy and laughter. In the past, she was one of our biggest fans. In the last few years, mostly through Facebook, she’s been keeping up with all of our kids and has been a daily source of love and kind words.

It’s taken me quite a while to write this and I only hope I did her justice. In the end, I love you, Aunt Carol.

Aunt Carol was my Godmother so she holds a very special place in my heart!  No matter where she lived, she never forgot my birthday with a beautiful niece card.  I remember the memory book she gave me for graduation from high school.  She seemed to know how sentimental I was and I filled it with so many pictures and other keepsakes from those days.  But when I get it out to look at it, I remember her first.  
One of the things I remember most about her was her infectious laugh --- she always seemed to find the humor in any situation and was ready to share the laughs with everyone.  I guess I know her best from Mom's (Mary Kay) stories of how fun she was, how adventurous and mischievous she was.  Always with joy.
I will miss her being here, but I know she will always be looking out for her Goddaughter now from Heaven.

        I have known Carol for 55 years as a sister-in-law. She and her husband, Jim, took me into their South Carolina home when Pat was just talking and Mary was still a baby. Tom and I had just married and the  Army suddenly sent him to Ft. Gordon, GA.  So that I could be closer to Fr. Gordon, Carol and Jim took me in for eight weeks while Tom attended MP training. Military families really stick up for each other and I learned first hand that Carol and Jim were loving and generous.  
        Our families saw a lot of each other when Jim worked on his master's degree at University of Houston and then went to the Vietnam War. All four children were born by this time. We couldn't see them for a long time because the kids continued to get lice. Carol would clean and clean everything. She washed  and combed Mary and Stell's long hair of the nits, as well as Pat and Tom's shorter hair - and the dog's long hair.  Carol was beside herself with frustration and exhaustion! She was caring for 4 children and a dog alone once Jim left for war and none of us could come and help her because of the infestation of lice in the house. Carol finally figured out the source of re-infestations - the stuffed animals that Jim had sent from overseas!!! She, of course, did not throw those precious gifts from their father away. No, she cleaned and cleaned them until the lice were gone. 
      Carol was selfless, courageous and a fighter. She fought for her children her entire life. She was a mama bear!! Her love of each of these children and their children was the motivation to do so much to help them become the wonderful people they are today. As Carol told me two weeks before she died, "I must have done something right, because I have four wonderful kids."  We will miss the bright smile, the fun energy Carol brought into a room, the laughter, and the deep spiritual life that she nurtured every day.  Rest in peace, Carol.


As Carol’s big little brother I have a lot of memories of her and I sitting around her room on Cason while she instructed me in the finer points of being a teen ager. She was fun to be with then as well as in our later years, when on her visits to the Houston area, she would sit with me into the late night hours - usually over a Bud Light - reminiscing over the old days. I cherish those memories and look forward to the time when we can be together again in the life she and Jim are enjoying together with our Lord.  

It's a strange thing that my earliest memory and my last memory of you would be waiting for the hurricane to pass. it's such a contrast to the person you were, always dwelling in the brighter places. I imagine that's still the case.

Those Irish Eyes now smiling from heaven.  As a younger sister she was my teacher, my mentor, my friend.  She was so easy going. She accepted life as it came - the good and the not so good-learning from each experience. She loved everyone and accepted people as the were - never judgmental.  Her primary legacy, I believe, is her children - who cared for her constantly during this past year of cancer.  Thanks Pat, Mary, Tom & Estelle. Carol, Please put in a good word for me and all who love you.

Today is the day Carol will be buried without the fanfare she would want and deserves.  As I looked at her in the coffin yesterday I couldn't say goodbye.  It is still not real to me.  I want to remember all the good times and the great memories.  There are so many things I wish I could have done differently.  I wasn't there for her when she lost her precious baby and when Jim died.  She chose to live in Belleville for her children and we all understood.  But we felt the separation and missed so much of her life.  She will always be in our thoughts and in our hearts.

Carol has been a valued friend for many years, generally focusing on others.  Sharing a group photo of our little "Home Church" faith fellowship group.  

Carol was my first friend and my best friend throughout my life.  When I was afraid of the dark, she held my hand.  She seemed to have no fears.  We held hands as we walked to school together.  She made friends wherever she went.  We were so lucky to have her for a sister.  The five of us have remained close all these years and Tom, Pat, Frankie and I will miss her so much.
Her loving sister,
Mary Kay

Carol was an amazing woman.  I will always remember her as Estelle's easy going, fun mom.  She poured into us and was always there to offer a ride, a talk, or just to share a laugh.  It was an honor to know her.  Sympathy and prayers for the family.

My Aunt Carol was a strong woman. I am glad I had the opportunity to get to know her better and hear some of her stories about her experiences after she was widowed. She had strong convictions about things and didn’t want other women to go through the same pain and hurt she had felt. She will be missed. May she Rest In Peace with Uncle Jim and her baby, Joan.

I first met Mrs.Leary when I was in 7th grade. She was a “cool mom” who let Stell and me stay up late and eat microwave popcorn (in 1982!) and entire jars of pickles. She would just laugh at us, and what a great laugh she had! I remember her at  all of our school functions. She was such a sweet lady! Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. 

So sorry to hear of my cousin passing away. Good memories of family visits. Rest In Peace, Carol. 

So sad to hear of the loss of a truly wonderful person.  How amazing to have gotten to know such a loving individual.  What a nice experience to know an individual and quite frankly the whole family for such a long time.  Both our families have been military and even through assignments the families have lived in such proximity as to have a long lasting relationship.  I along with my entire family have been blessed to have known Carol Leary.  🙏

To Carol's family and friends- I first met Carol at the Lebanon Scripture classes, then worked with her doing the Fosil mailings at Annie and Vince's home after which we would do lunch either there or at different restaurants in Belleville.  We had many good times together. Great memories.  She was a very special person.  Love and prayers. Lucy Moehrs 

Patrick, Mary, Tom and Stell, your mom was a loving, generous, gentle, determined, active/activist global citizen.  As with the butterfly effect, your mom’s essence and energy will be with us always.  Everyone has an important place to play in this evolving world and your mom played an important part.  Parting can be such sweet sorrow.  Love, Vince and Annie

OBITUARY

Carol A. Leary

April 30, 1939 – August 13, 2020

Lake View Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens

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