Carol Lennon

All who knew Carol Lennon would agree that she was the most amazing woman they knew. She was beautiful on the inside and out and truly genuine in her every thought, word, and deed. Carol was generous with her time and talents, but she was also a humble woman who was more than content to give while expecting nothing in return. A truly devoted wife and mother, she was a true caregiver at heart who considered it both her highest calling and greatest privilege to care for her loved ones. Carol was so vibrant and full of life, even when her health began to alter her daily life. The lessons she leaves behind were those she taught us every day – to be modest and humble, to be gracefully strong, and to always treat others with unconditional love and acceptance.

The thirties were some of the darkest days America has ever seen as the stock market crash in October of 1929 left us spiraling into the throes of the Great Depression throughout the entire decade. There were reasons to hope, however, and we celebrated each milestone as a nation such as the completion of the Empire State Building, the opening of Boulder Dam, which later became Hoover Dam, as well as a faster flying boat service between the United States and Britain. This time also boasted of a reason to celebrate for one young family from Adrian, Michigan, since they were pleased to announce the birth of a healthy baby girl on June 19, 1936. Carol was welcomed into the arms of her parents, Robert and Margaret (Lasher) Gamble, and was the second of three girls in her family – although her older sister, Janet, died at birth. She was raised in Kalamazoo where her father worked at Upjohn while her mother worked as a teacher for a time and then settled in as a full-time homemaker. Carol attended local schools including Kalamazoo Central High School where she was a member of the chorus and band follies. It was also as a high school student that Carol met the young man with whom she would share the best years of her life. His name was George Lennon and he was one year her senior.

After graduating from high school in 1954, Carol continued her education at Western Michigan University. Although she and George had lost touch while he was in Ann Arbor taking classes at the University of Michigan, they met back up at a party when Carol was in college. Sparks flew that fateful evening and the couple began dating. Carol was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority, and she went on to graduate with a degree in early elementary education.

Carol and George married on July 12, 1958, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Kalamazoo after dating for three years. The couple enjoyed a memorable honeymoon driving her father’s old station wagon up to Ontario, Canada just after the Mackinac Bridge was completed. Although the place they had planned on staying was closed due to bad weather, the newlyweds made the best of it. Carol taught at West Main School for part of one year, a school she attended as a young girl.

Life truly began for Carol when she became a mother to three wonderful children, Lisa, Lynn Ann, and Robert. As a mother she was very protective of her children, and she was actively involved in their lives. In fact, Carol flawlessly kept everything going in her household while taking the girls everywhere they needed to be with their figure skating, volunteering at school, and attending school events, too. She was a meticulous housekeeper who ran a tight ship and enjoyed decorating her home. When they purchased a cottage on Gull Lake Island in 1966, this provided the backdrop for fun filled family times through the years. Carol enjoyed spending her summers there and always loved watching the kids have fun. When her children went off to college, Carol still took superb care of them by doing their laundry and spoiling them in whatever way they would allow. She was an animal lover as well who treasured the companionship of special dogs, Happy, Mitzie, and Beagle.

There were so many things that kept Carol busy through the years, many of which involved the people she loved most. When her youngest child was in high school she started working as a medical receptionist for an eye doctor and then for Dr. Kim VanderVelde for 20 years. Carol traveled extensively and did so often with her children, including to the Caribbean. She hit all the different islands and then regularly went to Palm Springs for 20 years. Recently, she enjoyed the beautiful weather there for 10 weeks straight! Carol loved nothing more than sunbathing and socializing poolside with the girls. In 2003 she and George purchased a place on Lake Michigan south of Saugatuck where she enjoyed viewing the splendor of the eastern shores of the lake. When her health allowed, Carol loved to shop, and she also liked reading and playing cards - usually bridge and gin rummy. Carol was also fond of lobster, hot fudge sundaes and chocolates.

Only when she was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) did Carol start to slow down. George began working less, too, and they enjoyed spending more time together.

Carol Lennon was a special woman to many, who was a good judge of character, who never had a bad word to say about anyone. She was dignified and courageous, bright, and loyal to her friends and family. Carol was funny, too, and she believed in having good old fashioned fun. She inspired us in so many ways and will be deeply missed.

Carol Lennon died June 20, 2011 at her home. Carol’s family includes her husband, George H. Lennon, III; 3 children: Lisa (D.J.) Pascoe, Lynn Ann (Glen) Weller, and Robert George (Mariana) Lennon; 3 grandchildren: Maeve Margaret and Devin Elizabeth Pascoe and Antonio Robert Lennon; sister, Lynne Raseman; 6 nieces and nephews: Edgar IV, (Dawn) Raseman and their children: Edgar V and Sydney; Teri (Matt) Wheelright and their children: Kaden and Kyler. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Newman and Margaret (Lasher) Gamble; and by her sister, Janet Ann Gamble. Learn more about Carol, view her life story film, and share in some refreshments with her family and friends on Wednesday from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Drive, 375-2900. Services will be held Thursday 11:00 a.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Private entombment will take place at Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. A buffet luncheon and fellowship will follow the service at the Park Club. Please visit Carol’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo or sign her memory book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial donations may be directed to ASPCA, Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, or the American Lung Association.