To Keith and family,
I offer my condolences and prayers for the days ahead. Carol was a much-loved, much-admired colleague. She has taught so many of us how to be in ministry with integrity, compassion and authenticity. Prayers are lifted for all of you that you might find some small comfort in our expressions of love for Carol.
Peace and grace, Susan Howard

Knew Carol briefly when she was in Saskatchewan. The world has lost a good person. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Dear Keith
I was so deeply shocked and saddened to here about Carol’s death. She was a mentor to many. I am a colleague of Carol’s and currently serve Westminster United in Orangeville. Carol joined us for worship in between her ministry positions. Her intellect, her detail for process and parliamentary precedure was exemplary. When we would chat she would bring clarity to complicated matters in church governance. Her expertise will be missed and part of her legacy is the restructuring of the Toronto Conferenece which was an amazing feat ! I enjoyed sharing an anniversary service with her at Mayfield United just a year ago. For those of us who are clergy we have our public life but that life could not be lived with joy without the love of our famlies. She always spoke warmly of you and the life you shared at Rosemont. She loved to speak about your large garden.
Kindest regards, Keith…
I am deeply saddened for you and the family. I will be thinking of you on Friday

Dear Keith,
Please accept my very deepest sympathy on this most unexpected passing of Carol.
I had the opportunity to work with Carol many times over these past few years both at Presbytery and Conference levels in my position in the UCW. She was always so generous of her time, her support, her warm, her knowledge, her humour. She offered comfort at the time of my own loss. Such a beautiful lady, both inside and out.
God be with you on this new journey that you are travelling.
I will be thinking of you and hold you in my prayers.
Joyce MacKinnon

Keith, and all of Carol’s family:
I share in the sorrow you all are feeling–we all have lost a strong, faith-filled woman who was a blessing to many people.
I worked with her in the General Council Office, but we became more than colleagues-I believe we were friends! We shared laughter, plans, hopes, and frustrations. In Carol I saw a glimpse of what ministry ought to be–filled with compassion and integrity, clear thinking and open dialogue.
The United Church has lost a leader and a colleague.
Please know you are surrounded by prayers and upheld in love as you go through this difficult journey.

The family of Dorothy Armstrong is very saddened by this news. Carol was a wonderful support during Mom’s last years with us. She will be remembered fondly for her caring and dedication. She went above and beyond the call of duty! We are so sorry for your loss.

Our deepest sympathy to all of Carol’s family. We knew her in Alliston through UCW when Arwen and Jason were young and she was beginning to study for the ministry. She was intelligent, full of drive yet always gracious and caring…a life well lived.
Love and prayers

Dear Keith and family,
On behalf of M and P at Mayfield United and on a personal level as well, our heartfelt sympathy for you and your family. It was such a shock to hear about Carol’s sudden death. The United Church of Canada has lost a truly stalwart worker. We will all mourn her as a minister and as a person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sandra Cation

Carol was a good friend and colleague for many years going back to our time at Emmanuel College. She will be dearly missed as a trusted and wise voice, especially in the area of pastoral relations.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.

To Carol’s family, my deepest condolences and prayers. Ten years ago Carol was my supervising minister as I began my journey. She has always held a special place in my heart and in my life. Carol taught me so much, she will be missed. I have served the Little Britain Pastoral Charge for almost ten years now thanks in part to Carol’s encouragement and guidance.
Blessings to Carol’s family.

Dear Keith,

We don’t need to tell you yet again of our sorrow – you already know it is deep and profound.
The following thoughts are for you and for all those who knew and cherished Carol’s friendship:

Each time you hold a fresh vegetable in your hand,
Even if you haven’t dug it yourself….
Think of Carol

Each time you sit down with friends
To “break bread” together
And to share laughter and good conversation….
Think of Carol

Each time the lilacs bloom
And waft their heady fragrance
To the skies….
Think of Carol

Each time you hear the magical sound of a flute
Played by a consummate musician….
Think of Carol

Each time you struggle with yourself,
Each time you talk to someone for whom you care
And who cares for you….
Think of Carol

Each time you think of April
Think of April as a time for
New growth, new beginnings.
Know that April is a time for
The renewal of life,
Know that April is a time
For rebirth and….
Think of Carol

Remember Carol and
Hold her in your memory always.

Keith – Gordon & I are saddened to hear of Carol’s passing. She lived such a full and vibrant life. Her work through all the courts of the church will not be forgotten. I loved to hear her playing the flute when singing with St. John’s Choir in Alliston. I remember her as president of our UCW and later with her thoughtful sermons that she preached. Our thoughts will be with you and her family in the coming weeks. Love, Gord & Jo Rains

Arwyn, Jason and Keith

I am so sorry to hear about your Mrs. Gierak’s passing. Mrs. Gierak was always a great friend of our family and it was good to see her again last December. My thoughts are with you and your family in the coming weeks.

Andrew Wray

Dear Keith and family

Roger and I are so saddened to hear about Carol’s passing. It doesn’t seem possible that her wit, thoughtfulness, and friendly face will no longer grace us in the here and now. However, we all have wonderful memories of a life well-lived. We remember formal dinner parties, impromptu visits with our two families, Christmases shared with Roger’s parents, thought-provoking sermons at St. John’s United Church in Alliston, and of course Carol’s wonderful addition to our church choir through voice and flute. Our son Stephen has fond memories of spending time with Arwyn and Jason (those great jam sessions on the drums!)

We cannot be with you to share your grief and celebration but know that our prayers are for all of you.

With love and sympathy,
Joan and Roger Hayward

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Carol’s passing has touched anyone who was lucky enough to have know her.

She was an incredible lady, and we shall all miss her.

Our condolences,

Ron and Heather Armstrong

Carol was one of the first people I met when I came to Toronto from the Maritimes years ago. Her support and encouragement was gracious and unfailing and meant a great deal to me. Her faith was strong, loving and wise; her leadership was an inspiration to us all. She will be profoundly missed but never forgotten. Blessings and peace to you and yours.
Bill Kervin, Emmanuel College

I met Carol during her tenure as Conference Chair, while the new larger presbyteries were being organized. Whenever she offered her leadership it was with grace and wisdom. Her authentic faith meant that times of prayer were deeply nurturing to all. Her many gifts were well-used in God’s service. What a lovely smile she had!
Blessings and shalom to all the members of her family as their hearts struggle to reach that sense of gratitude and joy that will eventually come for they were part of her life, and shared her love and her journey.
Nina Fulford

To Jason and family,

Your mom was an incredible woman. She always greeted me with a smile and a hug (and usually something tasty to eat!). She had a sweet smile and a deep love and devotion to you and your family.

The sky has become one star brighter and I will always have fond memories of her. She is greatly missed.

With much love and sympathy,
Katherine Madaleno

I send my heartfelt condolences to Carol’s husband, family, and friends. I am deeply sorry for your loss. I first knew Carol through the “Starting Well” program offered at Emmanuel. Her wisdom and teachings were of great value to me in my early years of ministry. I will remember her with great affection and appreciation for her gifts. I recently re-connected with her through Presbytery committee meetings, and hoped we would have occasion to meet again. I was very sad to hear of her death. She will be missed.
God’s peace be with you.

Keith and family:

I had the joy and privilege of working with Carol a few short years ago planning music for a Toronto Conference Annual Meeting. I enjoyed Carol’s quiet laughter, her quick wit, and her amazing ability to listen and hear many points of view. Since then I have seen her on a few occasions and have always been greeted with a wonderful smile, a special hello, and a very genuine and sincere “how are you”.

She will be truly missed.

Please know that you are held in the prayers of our family.

Many Blessings,

Brian Nicholson

Carol’s bright spirit and many gifts echo and re-echo throughout my memory. May grace and peace be yours as we all grieve and remember a truly fine woman.

Keith and Family,
I worked with Carol for 18 months before and during her Conference Presidency. We worked on the restructuring project which was demanding and challenging. Carol was wonderful, both as a colleague and as a person. We had many wonderful talks and I know how much you will miss her warmth and wise and loving ways.
It was a privilege to have known Carol.

My condolences to all of you.

Carol Paniccia

Carol was a wonderful leader of Toronto Conference. In my capacity as a representative of AOTS, I was a witness to her refined and wise leadership and the thoughtful insights of her preaching. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. Please accept my condolences.

Carol inspired me to board the ship and voyage on the sea to brave new seas and discover fresh continents

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Carol’s death. My sympathies to you, Keith, to your children and your whole extended family. Carol and I go way back to the time when she was living in Alliston and I was a minister in Tottenham and Rich Hill. I can remember her wonderful hospitality and cooking. We were able to be mutually supportive through both personal changes and challenges as well as colleagues. She had a deep and thoughtful faith, a passion for social justice, as well as a deep commitment to the United Church. I/We have lost a wonderful sister, colleague and friend.

Keith, I have shared news of our loss with the group of Conference Presidents and Leading Elders who shared leadership at the same time as Carol. We all add our prayers to the wide circle of your family, friends, and United Church colleagues who grieve with you.
May Christ’s healing mercies comfort you.
Carol L. Hancock
Conciliar Relations, General Council Office

Dear Keith and family, I was stunned to hear of Carol’s death. I had only just heard from my mother that she was ill. I am so sorry and can’t imagine the sorrow and shock this illness has brought to all of you. Carol was part of a wonderful group of friends discovered at Emmanuel College in my student days and admired and depended on in so many ways through all the ups and downs of the years since then. I feel the world is very different without her in it. We shared so many places along the road and I know she has offered wise and steady leadership in many parts of the life of the Church. Blessings to you and your family as you absorb this shattering event and celebrate her living and loving.

Betsy Anderson

My deepest sympathy and condolences are with the family of Carol Gierak. While small in stature, Carol displayed a towering presence of calm, attentiveness and genuine concern for every issue and matter at hand. Her love and positive regard for people, her passion for justice, and her deep and abiding faith were evident in everything she did. Indeed, Carol will be greatly missed but always fondly remembered.

I was deeply saddened to hear of my friend Carols’ untimely death. Over many, many years she and I talked a lot of church and a lot of life. She was easy to know and a good friend. I shall miss her. May life’s great spirit surround you and hold you through this sad and difficult time.

With much love and sympathy from our family to Carol’s family and friends. We are deeply saddened to hear of her passing.

Mark and Jenn Vessey

Keith and family members, I studied at Emmanuel and Carol was in the same graduating class. I extend my sympahties to you all. Carol became a colleague in ministry when I returned to Toronto Conference in 1996. She was able to give attention to so many things at once, even so, she made time for me when we crossed paths. Carol has been a blessing to the congregations she has served and to the wider church and world. She ministered to a part of my family while at St. John’s in Alliston. We were able to share collectively in common work when Carol served Mayfield and I at Grace, Brampton. So much of Carol has been imprinted on those she served and the wider church. Thank you for sharing her with us. Blessings, Rev. Ross Leckie

We are greatly saddened by this unexpected news. Carol was a very remarkable woman, and a dear friend of our family for many years. Her frequent visits, quiet strength and gentle wisdom were an important support to our sister Kathleen in her last illness. Her life has been a blessing to many, and we give thanks for it.

I was deepley shocked and saddened to hear of Carol’s death, a good friend and colleague, she will be missed. Her warm smile, her generous hospitality, her ability to get to the heart of a matter are all gifts she shared with many of us. Keith, to you and your family, thanks for sharing her with us and may peace be yours as you grieve this very special woman

Dear Keith,
I was so saddened to learn of Carol’s death. I am so sorry. Carol had the wonderful spiritual gift of hospitality. She made me feel so welcome when I first came to Torotno Conference. I will rememebr Carol’s loving kindness.
Blessings to you and your family
Todd McDonald – Toronto Conference

Keith and Family,
Caring thoughts and condolences to you as you deal with your loss. Carol was a very special person who brought many gifts and talents to the Mayfield Community, and made a difference to many people. She will be truly missed.

Dear Keith a

My deepest sympathy to you and to you and to your family. I am still in shock after hearing about Carol’s passing. She was a wonderful person to work with and she will be sorely missed by all who knew her and who had the pleasure of working with her. I always appreciated her calmness. I especially enjoyed our time at General Council in Kelowna .

I will miss her wonderful devotions before a meeting started. In fact, she put me on to the writings of Parker J. Palmer and his devotions and words have helped me in my work.and my own personal journey.

May God’s peace be with you.

Linda Parsons

Holding you all as family in prayer at this most difficult time.

As the Presbytery Rep for Centennial United in Stayner, I offer our sincere condolences to her husband Keith and their family on the very sad loss of Carol. Our thoughts are with you.

Greta Horton
Centennial United Church
Stayner

My deepest sympathy and condolences are with the family of Carol Gierak. I will miss Carol’s friendship, leadership and wisdom. She was a lovely person and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to know her. Rosalind Cammidge.

Such a shock to hear of Carol’s death. We shared monthly times of retreat at Cedar Glen many years ago and I valued her faith and insights; and since then I’ve admired and appreciated Carol’s leadership in the wider church, and especially her delightful, wry quips of humour, just when we needed them most. I will miss her many gifts and give thanks for the legacy and example she has left us.
Deborah Hart
Eglinton St. George’s United Church, Toronto

Carol was a wonderful mentor and a strong leader in the church. She was part of the settlement committee when I was ordained and her quiet reassurance at the time is something I have always been thankful to her for. She will be dearly missed as a colleague and a friend.

Dear Keith,

With so many others, we add our condolences, as do we share in your sorrow at Carol’s death.

When Carol came to serve Saskatchewan Conference, making Wesley (Regina) your church home, we enjoyed several pleasant times with you both. You were working with the major project revamping the Regina General Hospital through a very cold winter. It was the warmth of a Sunday afternoon in your first September here, however, that I remember especially. We four travelled to Fort Qu’Appelle for the ‘Mozart on Mission Ridge’ outdoor performance of the Regina Symphony Orchestra (complete with the fireworks finale of “The 1812 Overture”). What delightful picnic! John remembers fondly the lovely meal you provided while he was in Toronto at a committee meeting at General Council.

Carol was a lovely, caring person and we can’t imagine your sorrow. May you and your family feel the strengthen and comfort of Love that surrounds you.

Carolyn McBean & John Haas
(retired now, in Regina)

Dear Keith, Arwyn, and Jason,

We echo the words of many others who have expressed their thoughts of Carol, and sympathy to the family. Although Walter has known Carol for far fewer years than I have, he was deeply saddened to hear that we had lost such a dear person from our midst. My sorrow is profound and Carol will be permanently written in my heart and memory’

From the first time I met her, Carol was to become an important and a recurring part of my life. We shared so many events (both mundane and momentous) in our lives during the early days in Alliston, and although subsequent years took us in various directions, we always seemed to come back together one way or another. Who could have known that the little lady who picked asparagus one summer, while I babysat a young Arwyn, would one day assist in my wedding ceremony as a presiding clergy? I feel greatly enriched to have known her and will forever cherish the memories which come flooding back to me from 40 years of friendship. Thank the Lord for every precious one.

Regretfully, we must absent ourselves from the visitation and service. We both are battling some very stubborn bronchial infections and it would be thoughtlessof us to risk infecting others. I trust in your understanding of our predicament. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you

Love,
Liz & Walter

I, too, was stunned and saddened by Carol’s death. One just needs to read the above condolences to see how wide her circile was drawn. She had that wonderful combination of pastoral care and good boundaries which she shared so wonderfully and which is, already, being missed deeply. God be with you in a very special way through these coming times.
Barbara Morrison

I knew Carol when she was at Westway United, and although I have not seen her for twenty-four years or so, she was one of the most influential women in my life. I have thought of her often over the years, and was truly blessed to have known her.

My condolences to the family
Catherine Battiston

We were saddened to here of your loss.we have memories of good times in years gone by and our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Marian & John Milne
Tottenham

Keith & Family

I offer my deepest condolences and prayers to you knowing that the days ahead will be rough. Carol was a much-loved, much-admired colleague and a friend who was always there to offer her love and support in times of struggles. She has taught so many of us how to do ministry with integrity, compassion and with authenticity. She was wise beyond her years. I will surely miss her. Please know that I am holding you and the entire family in my prayers.

Dear Keith and family:
Carol’s presence was something that I will always treasure. Her warmth, openess, acceptance and positive input were gifts to all.
Please accept my sincere sympathy on her passing.
You are all in my prayers.

Carol was truly a “mighty mouse”. Although small in stature, she had a big heart, a delightful laugh, and a steadfast faith. May you, her family and friends, know the comfort of love and companionship during these difficult days. May you be held in God’s embrace.

Keith and all your family,
Just know you are held in love and friendship, deep in our hearts.

Dear Keith

You and your family are in our prayers during this very sad time.

It is with great shock that we heard of Carol’s passing. Carol was a wonderful friend of my Dear Brother Hardy.
Carol was known in our household as “Poopsie” as you could imagine Carol (always smiles,) standing beside my Brother who was 6’6″ !!
My Brother passed away suddenly a few years ago and Carol delivered a very beautiful service and was also such a wonderful support for our Family, especially our Mom.
We will always remember Carol as having a “happy heart.”
On behalf of my Mom, (Luba) Sister (Evelyn) and Myself, I extend my most sincere and deepest condolences to Carol’s Family. -Angie Trumpler

I’m so sorry to hear about Carol. I have very fond memories of her when she was working in Saskatchen Conference. Please accept my condolences.

Sincerely, Elaine

Dear Keith and Family,

Upon hearing of Carols passing, I was deeply saddened; she was both a mentor and a friend who will be missed dearly.
I knew Carol during her ministry at Mayfield United Church. Her ability to address current issues defined her ministry, and conveyed her devotion to the church. During her stay at Mayfield she succeeded with both the adults and youth all the while restructuring the Toronto Conference; a feat not many could match. Her hard work and dedication was only surpassed by her love and kindness.

My fondest memories of Carol were our discussions; she had such a way with words. She always challenged me to think, yet at the same time invited retort and questions her. Even while I was at university she kept in contact and went out of her way answering questions. Like she thought of me, I will be thinking and praying with you during this difficult time.

Dear Keith and Family,
In ministry, there are colleagues with whom one repeatedly crosses paths over the years. Carol and I were like that. When – 20 years ago, longer? – or where – Cedar Glen, Five Oaks, some national committee or other, …? – we first met, I couldn’t tell you. One thing we shared is being “vertically challenged”. Most recently, she was in the Interim Ministry class I teach – evidence of her commitment to lifelong learning.
Please accept the condolences of the Staff of Five Oaks, of the Grand River Bookstore, and of her fellow Interim Ministry fieldwork classmates. Her wisdom, humbleness, humour, and caring will be missed.

Dear Keith and Family,
I was shocked to hear of Carol’s death. I knew she was ill, but was unaware of the severity of her illness. I am so sorry for you all. I always found Carol and inspiritaion and a mentor, with the wisdom and courage she so freely shared with me as I began ordained ministry. We have lost a friend, but one who’s presence and spirit will be with us always.
May God’s healing and compassionate love be with you now and always. Maureen

Dear Keith & Family:
I am another of the hundreds whose life was enriched by knowing Carol. She was my Pastor at Caledon East United but continued to be my friend after she moved on, making time for lunches together and always giving such wise counsel and profound insight into whatever the issue. I will treasure her memory always and just want to add my sincere condolences to an already amazing list of tributes. Jim’s & my thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this awful time of separation and grief. Much love, Barb

What a marvelous outpouring of love… I add my prayers for Keith and the family that you might feel something of God’s presence at this time. Like all the others I have fond memories of life and laughter shared with Carol in many different aspects of ministry. We shake our heads again at the fragility of life as we honour Carol’s memory, celebrate her life, and thank God that we knew her.

Dear Keith and family, we were so sorry to hear of Carol’s death. May God comfort and strengthen you through this time.
I (Marilyn) so much appreciated working with Carol and getting to know her,some years ago,on the formal hearing panel.
Shalom

Carol’s time in Saskatchewan Conference was challenging to say the least. We had the opportunity to work closely with her during part of that time and a group of us had an ambitious writing project and Carol and others were here with us in Saltcoats for that. She was courageous, passionate, ready for challenge and creative moments of change. Her legacy gifted to the church here was more than she would ever have believed and certainly belied the shortness of the time she was here. In her being she represented leadership in the United Church at its best. We will remember her with love and joy. Blessings to you her family. Joan and Walter Farquharson.

Keith and Family:
Please, accept my condolences on Carol’s passing. She was a very gifted person whose musical talents and ministry touched the lives of many.
Tom

To Keith & family
Carol was a very kind and compassionate woman whom our family remember for the support she gave us when our sister Mary Troyer died and also our brother Don Sheardown. Her days at Caledon East United Church are memorable to me. Sorry to hear of her passing.

Dear Keith, Arwyn and Jason:
As I’ve tried to take in the tragic news of Carol’s death I’ve been taken back to Emmanuel days and the women’s gatherings and delicious food we shared in the Geirak home in Alliston .Jason, I remember skate boarding ( or trying to) with you in front of that same house during one of those visits.
I remember another womens’ gathering during which the family dog escaped and was tragically killed.
And I remember the joy of Keith and Carol’s unfolding realtionship, their beautiful wedding and the promise of new life that occasion offered.
Carol was such a gifted woman, as evidenced by the incredible tributes written by friends, parishioners and colleagues. She has left her mark on so many lives and for that I give thanks.
May God’s love surround you as you learn to walk around the hole Carol’s death has left in your hearts.
Paul and I offer our sincerest sympathy.

Our warmest condolences go out to her family.

We only knew her briefly but she has impacted our thoughts deeply: Last summer, she conducted the baptism ceremony for our children in such a special and memorable way – we could not have wished for a more thougthful and devoted speech.

Keith and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of great loss.
To think of Carol is like lighting a candle. In life, she shone brightly, and now, she will continue to shine in the hearts of all of us who knew her and love the light.
with love and deepest condolences,
Deb and Chris Darling

To Keith and all of Carol’s family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you gather to say farewell to a very special woman. I have fond memories of Carol as a colleague through our Bradford lectionary group many years ago and more recently through our time together on Conference Executive. Her wisdom and leadership will be sorely missed. May you be strengthened in some way by the many thoughts and prayers coming your way.
Peace, Kevin Logie

To Carol’s family,
I am grateful for knowing Carol. She baptized our daughter many years ago when she was with us at St. Andrew’s in Georgetown, and I will never forget the loving image of her holding our baby.
Carol was wonderful – you must be so proud of her.

Dear Keith, Arwyn and Jason,
I continue to send my thoughts and prayers out to you as you grieve a wonderful wife and mother. She was such a good friend to me for more than forty years.
requiescat in pace
Mary McBride

My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours at this time. Though I only got to know Carol as she was with us at Westminster in Orangeville for the JNAC process, she made an impact on me then. She will be remembered as a gentle, kind and loving soul who truly reflected the light of Jesus in her and all around her. May that light continue to shine as memories are shared and her life is celebrated.

And for her friends and colleagues, you are not forgotten in our prayers. Though she is gone, she lives on in all of those she has touched.
Love, peace and kindness…

Dear Keith,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Carol was and is a special person and we loved getting to know you while you were in sask, Carol will always be remembered with love.
Blessings,
Cathy and Robin

I met Carol at Emmanuel College in the ’80’s. A hot bed of feminist theology, fiercely inclusive worship, and debates over ordination of gays and lesbians in the church. These were heady and difficult days in The United Church of Canada. Ones, Carol and many in Emmanuel Colleage embraced knowing the church ‘needed us’.

Our paths intersected many times since Carol’s return to Toronto Conference. I will miss our chats in some corner of the Toronto Conference Annual Meeting, looking at books on display, or discussing the petitions before the court that year. The implications of the ‘business’ of the church and its relationship to what God called us to do.

I shall miss my classmate, my friend and sister colleague who ministry I admired and whose dry wit never never ceased to make me laugh.

May you, her family continue to feel the prayers of so many across this country, as you adjust to a world with your beloved Carol.

Dear Keith, Arwyn, Jason and Linda and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. We were at the memorial service yesterday. It was a beautiful service. You all expressed yourselves so well. Thanks for sharing your feelings and history of your family with us.
I(Irene) was so looking forward to working with Carol. Her church, Asbury and West, is coming to worship with Northminster starting this summer. I started to get to know Carol last fall and early this year as we began making plans for what we would do together in worship. I grieve that opportunity to work with such a fine and caring person.
Again, my prayers and thoughts are with you all as you go through this time of mourning for your loved one. Let us know if there is anything we can do.
Sincerely, Irene and Lee

Carol will be deeply missed. I found Carol inspiring because she ministered with integrity . Carol balanced her conviction for what was right with compassion. My prayers are with you and your family, Linda

I am so sorry to hear about your mother she was a fantastic woman my thought and prayers are with you both. Jenifer

I’ve only known Carol for a couple years but I very quickly grew to love her. She was one of the smartest, wisest and deepest women I have ever met. We met at a workshop on church governance and I was amazed that she had come to learn as it was so apparent that she could have easily been the presenter. We enjoyed lunches at a little café in Erin and chatted about our similar interests – everything from governance to gardening. I was inspired by her openness, wisdom and intellect and will forever consider her one of my most cherished mentors. I am so sad to not get to spend more time with her but am so grateful for the short time we had. She reminded me of the joy of learning and inspired me to be a strong and authentic Christian woman. She was a gift from God! I will so miss her.

I have just returned from a lengthy vacation, only to read of your dear Carol’s death. I am shocked as we are very close in age, but more so because I have known Carol for many years (we were together in Simcoe Presbytery), and I have always been very fond of her. She was always a cheerful, fun-loving, considerate, and very kind person for whom I held an immense respect. Please know that I share your loss very deply. May the God whom Carol and I have loved and served be with you to comfort and support you at this time. (I am writing to you from Saskatoon, SK.)

To Keith and family,

We are very sorry to hear about Carol’s passing.
We have good memories about her in Alliston. In the 80’s she used to drive with me, Peter, to Toronto every day to do her studies and we had many interesting discussions.
Our prayers are with you and the family.

Peter & Alida Idzerda.

Dear Keith,
We now live out on the west coast but are visiting in the area when I heard about Carol’s passing. I wanted you to know how special she was in my life when I first moved to Mansfield and joined the congregation at Centennial United Church. Carol made such a contribution to the church and the community and I have some wonderful memories of our time there. My daughters Paige and Kendall thought she was “the best Minister ever” as she was so approachable and easy to talk with, open to their questions and their thoughts and feelings as young children. She will be so missed.
Janice