Born in Louisville, KY, she was the only child of Melvin and Olga Sauer.
She graduated from Atherton High School and married Russell Cook, with whom she had 3 children. She later attended Jefferson Community College in Louisville. She was active in her children’s schooling, even serving as PTA president for several terms. She was employed doing social work for the needy children of Louisville before obtaining a grant from the State of Kentucky to run an after-school program for at-risk youth in the west-end of the city. After moving to Jacksonville, FL, in 1978, she owned and operated the Cookie Jar Child Care Center. Following her first husband’s passing in 1987, she married Josef Molenda. In the late 80’s, her love of antiques and interior decorating led the two of them to purchase a historic home in the Springfield area of Jacksonville where they became members of Springfield Preservation and Restoration (SPAR) and were considered pioneers in the restoration of the area. They ran the home as The Archibald B&B for many years, before selling it and moving to another historic home in the area where they would reside for the next 20 years. Both The Archibald and their latter home in Springfield were on many SPAR tours throughout the years, as well as being featured in Folio Weekly, the Times Union, and the local news. She was heavily involved with the Lutheran Church throughout her lifetime, and she was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Avondale at the time of her death. She was a past president of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of Lutheran Church Women. She had a unique sense-of-humor, was an avid reader, loved all animals, and, especially, loved her family.
Carolyn was predeceased by her first husband, Russell; her daughter, Stephanie; her son-in-law, Jim; and her parents. She is survived by her second husband, Josef; her daughter, Cynthia (Erik); her son, Russell, Jr. (Sheree); her stepchildren, John (Vickie) and Helene (Rahul); and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren…all of whom she loved dearly.
A Memorial Service and reception will be held in her honor on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at 5 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1415 McDuff Ave. S., Jacksonville, FL 32205. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to the church or to the Jacksonville Humane Society.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the MOLENDA family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17