VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Remembering Carolyn

The youngest of four children born to John Gary (Joch) & Effie Mae Cook, Carolyn, or “Little Joch” as she was affectionately known, was born on May 4, 1931, in Langley, the heart of “Horse Creek Valley.”  The depression was not an easy time, but Carolyn recalled with pride the love and friendship of family and friends, the good times together in the Methodist Church, the “Company store,” dancing at the “company” clubhouse on Langley Pond, and, of course, fishing on the lake. She spoke of running home from the Langley Schoolyard when her Sister, Doris’s Husband, Ronald, got off the bus, returning from service in WWII: so many fond and happy memories from childhood and the place that she would always proudly call home.

High school was a special time for Carolyn. She had many friends. Together they would walk or bus to Odum’s store for “RC Cola and a moon pie,” which her big brother, Ernest (Bubba), let her charge to his account. Then they crossed the Old Hwy. 1 (now 421) for scouts, sports, movies, and of course, “the pool.”  She spoke fondly of Sr. Thecla, Sr. Mary of Mercy, Sr. Bernadette who by their love and care introduced Carolyn – without proselytizing – to the Church that would become her home. In those days this was not an easy move, but on her 21^st birthday, Carolyn quietly took the step and was forever faithful to her God.

Carolyn worked hard and was much appreciated as a skilled engraver for United Merchants…but her Family always came first. Carolyn and her Mother helped Ronald raise his and her sister’s three children, Patricia, Sandra, and Buck. Ronald and Carolyn married some years after Doris’s death. Ronald and Miss Effie, then helped Carolyn raise her Daughter, Anne. The stories of family and neighbors were fascinating to hear, the bonds of care were tight-knit and loving. Her pride in Anne’s life and family were so evident as she strove to share her home, the boys’ schools and achievements - even the prayer candle burning in her window for the years Hobson was in service.

Carolyn served many years as sacristan for Our Lady of the Valley, first assisting the Sisters of Christian Doctrine and the later Fr. Murphy, Fr. John, Fr. Clarke, Fr. Ernie and the long line of dedicated pastors. With the more recent changes in the Church, Carolyn was an exemplary altar server. Perhaps her most treasured ministry, however, was her service to the sick, introduced to her by Fr. John Lawlor. Not only did she take Father to their homes for the Sacraments, but she went regularly herself to carry Our Lord and to spend time and loving support with each one – and there were many as her little black book attests.  None were forgotten and some of the stories can be read in the remembrances shared in her obituary.

Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Center always held a very special place in Carolyn’s heart.  Her’s is a servant’s heart: that of a true Daughter of Charity.  While Carolyn devoted countless hours to the loving care of God’s House and reached out sacramentally to comfort shut-ins, the terminally ill, frightened and lonely persons, her ministry did not stop there. In most cases, no one knew anything about her loving service of God’s poorest.  For more than 45 years, Carolyn helped the Religious of Christian Doctrine, the Sisters of St. Francis and the Daughters of Charity in their various ministries with the people of the Valley.  Carolyn had many beautiful and tender gifts that she so generously shared with each person she encountered. She was always available to fold and prepare mailings and newsletters, set up for community meetings and celebrations, assist with the CYO and Jr. CYO, help the children prepare floats for the Valley Christmas Parade – and then pull the float down 421 with her truck!  She even cut the grass. She truly lived St. Vincent’s directive: Love God and let it be with the strength of your arms and the sweat of your brow.

But perhaps one of the duties she cherished the most and devoted endless hours to was the set-up and management of the food pantry. Carolyn was part of the evolution of the garage space into a well-organized food service to provide for those “just needing a helping hand,” nothing was too much.  From ordering to picking up food and staples from Golden Harvest to arranging the shelves, refrigerators, and freezers and bagging grocery items for individuals, families, the Brown Bag recipients and the senior’s in the daily lunch program: nothing was too much.  She especially loved the holidays, making sure that each person received a special treat for the big day!  Christmas, she would say, was her happiest time of the year.  She took no rest for herself: she handled all of the food needs for each and every family, with a special emphasis for the elderly. There was a 5-8 pound hen for each one along with all the fix-ins for the big meal (she noted that a turkey was too much for them to lift or manage), to a bag of personal gifts she carefully selected for those who had no family with which to share the Christ-child’s birthday.  She did not neglect the families – large and small, preparing their food baskets, too. Come the big day, Carolyn and her friend Jan could be seen in their yellow vests out on #421, directing the lines of traffic for the pick.  That was not enough, she was also one the regulars to deliver to the shut-ins.  

What would she not do?  Once when the teens were preparing the “spook house” for the children’s Halloween Party, she went to great lengths to find dry ice for the witch’s caldron – it was truly a blue light special!  Meanwhile, you would find Carolyn in the Center helping the little ones bob for apples or try to eat a donut wiggling on the end of a string!  

In the forty years we served together, I know I never heard Carolyn say an unkind word about another person.  She wanted no praise for herself.  All she wanted to do with her life was what God would want her to do.  So many special memories: such a very special person.

Can you just imagine the overwhelming joy and happiness on December 20^th, when all those Carolyn had journeyed with came to meet her at the Heavenly gates and presented their good friend to our merciful Father!  I have no doubt that He welcomed her in His loving embrace, escorting her into the Kingdom He prepared especially for her.