Carole Annette McKeown

Carole (88), was a loving and devoted wife of Tom (deceased), married 62 years and dear Mother of Mark (Debbie), Karyn, Kim, Melissa Schulz (Brian) and Amy Scott (recently departed Nick). Dear Grandmother of Devin (Talia), Emily, Brennen, Calum, Ava, Griffin and Parker. Matriarch to many more who affectionately requested to be “Honorary McKeowns”. Carole was the youngest sister of the late Marvin, Eugene, Gordon, Wendall, Beverly, Elizabeth, Marilyn and is survived by her brother Sheldon. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom she adored. She had the pleasure of having many sister and brother in-laws with whom she enjoyed spending time.

Carole was born in Detroit to Peter and Erma Lapham and known by her family affectionately as Tootsie. Her family split their time between Detroit and Wampler’s Lake in the Irish Hills. Carole graduated from Onsted High School in Onsted, Michigan in 1952. She proudly skipped a grade and graduated high school at the age of 16. She then attended Michigan State College, now known as Michigan State University. She enjoyed retelling her stories of living in West Landon Hall and being “locked in” at 10pm nightly by the RAs. One of her many claims to fame was that she was once a shoe model in a Hudson’s print advertisement.

There is no way to mention Carole without mentioning Tom, as she was the “better half” of “Tom & Carole”. Carole met Tom at an “International Set” party, and at the time Carole worked as an executive Secretary at a popular radio station. Carole and Tom’s romance bloomed from the Irish Hills to Detroit, MI. They were married in 1961 and their adventure as a new family began with the arrival of Mark nine months later. As a family they gravitated to the lakes of Oakland County, first Commerce Lake then Brendel Lake and then Sylvan and Otter Lakes. For most of her married life Carole’s job was “Head of the McKeown Household” and she excelled at it, earning praise year after year. She kept homemade appetizers and cold drinks on hand for entertaining whims. Chili cheese squares and caramel brownies were family favorites.

She taught her daughters the true meaning of “power shopping”. Their all day excursions started early and ended after dark, often returning with a trunk full of hidden purchases. She was naturally coordinated and loved to water ski. She liked to show off her favorite trick of putting the rope over her foot while she skied slalom. She learned to snow ski to keep up with her kids, and was active in various clubs like the Daughters of Erin (Knights of Equity) and Shipmates (Oakland County Boat Club).

Carole loved math, science, brain teaser games and learning new skills. Her family was delighted to have her show off her latest gadget or to watch her complete the Rubik’s cube in under a minute. She loved computers and technology. She was one of the first owners of a Commodore 64 and taught herself and her kids how to format floppy disks and DOS commands. She bought a “face phone” in the early 1990s so she could “see” her daughters in California during a phone call. For years, she enjoyed making customized knitted gifts, like blankets and Christmas stockings, from her Brother knitting machine. One of her wishes was to live long enough to see a flying car.

Carole enjoyed trying her luck on slot machines, lottery tickets and pull-tabs, and often won big. Fortunately, she was lucky more times than not! For her 70th birthday her daughters treated her to a

birthday trip to Las Vegas to stay at the newly opened Wynn hotel. Carole saw little of the hotel room as she stayed up all night gambling.

Florida was Carole & Tom’s winter home for the last 20 years with Treasure Island becoming their favorite destination, where they continued their love of boating, socializing and going out to eat. Carole passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones. Her family takes solace knowing she is now reunited with Tom, the love of her life, her treasured son-in-law Nick, her lifelong friend Bille Vatsis and so many others.