I’ll get this out of the way: cancer killed her. After 7-plus years of surgeries, chemotherapies, immunotherapies, investigational treatments, pain, anxiety, and occasional moments of hope it came down to the brutal truth that her body and mind could no longer carry on.
This isn’t how she would have wanted her final chapter to be written. She was the one who was supposed to survive cancer. She was the one who was supposed to have the radical remission. She was the one that deserved to grow old surrounded by the people she loved, traveling to all ends of the earth. Even though her passing was untimely, she considered herself incredibly blessed and cultivated a heart full of gratitude.
Carolien was born on February 1, 1972 in Almelo, The Netherlands. She was the first-born child of William deRoode and Monique deRoode-Simon. She was blessed with two loving sisters Elaine deRoode-Marin and Nicole deRoode-Santos. She was married to Brock Wentz and together they are raising 2 wonderful children Nicholas Wentz and Natasha Wentz. She is survived by many who will miss her dearly and preceded in death by her father William deRoode (2019).
Carolien’s 51 years were brief, but full of experiences and cherished memories. She was a daughter, a friend, a wife, a mother, an aunt, a sister, a physician, a surgeon, an educator, a mentor, and inspiration to those that knew her. Her training as a physician and orthopaedic surgeon combined with her passion for helping others, led her to become a world class pediatric orthopaedic hand surgeon. As her disease progressed and she was unable to perform surgeries, she used her training to help educate the next generation of physicians.
Carolien would have never wanted her death to be discussed in the style of “she lost the battle to cancer”. Cancer isn’t an invader like a foreign virus or bacterium. Cancer is the body’s own DNA gone haywire. Carolien didn’t find comfort in being a “cancer warrior”. Her focus instead was to live in the present. She focused on teasing out every possible moment of meaning and fulfilling life experience in everyday interactions. She lived life fully and lovingly as she faced a painful, scary, and terminal disease. During her last few years, she focused on life’s simple lessons – to be kind, to be honest, and to be helpful. She imparted to our children that any words or actions that don’t meet those criteria are best left unsaid and undone. She taught us all that our time here is temporary and often too short, but we control the potential to leave behind a positive legacy that outlasts our time on this Earth.
Carolien thank you for allowing us to be part of this truncated journey.
Your family, friends, and patients.
A memorial mass will be held March 3, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church 5830 Mesa Park Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89135.
Donations are being collected to establish an endowed scholarship in her name and honor at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. For more information visit gofundme.com/f/Carolien-deroodewentz
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmdowntownmortuary.com for the de Roode-Wentz family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17