Carol Jean Symolon

Carol Jean (Konkel) Symolon passed peacefully in her sleep surrounded by family on November 24, 2020. Born on November 28, 1933 to Walter & Esther (Grettenberger) Southworth in Okemos MI, she was a woman of humble strength and had a great joy for life. Carol graduated from Okemos High School in 1951 and worked as an Administrative Assistant for Warren Consolidated Public Schools for most of her adult life. She was a pioneer raising her four daughters on her own in a time which strongly disapproved of an independent, single working mother. Her daughters wouldn’t be the women they are today without her resilience, patience and love. In 1974, Carol married the love of her life, Edwin Symolon and through their blended family, she gained three more children. Carol and Ed spent their years together full of happiness, adventure and golf. Through their many travels, they explored the United States, from the Grand Canyon to the Hilton Head beaches, and other places around the world. As a mother, wife, stepmother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Carol taught her family to enjoy the little things in life and was the source of calm and security in times of stress. Carol collected many things, but her family was her greatest treasure. She loved music, dancing, and nurturing her gorgeous garden full of flowers that spanned the colors of a rainbow. Carol believed that it is always better to laugh than to cry, and lived by these words as she brought laughter into the lives of everyone she met.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband Ed of 29 years; her parents Walter & Esther (Grettenberger) Southworth; her brother Gordon Southworth; sisters Jane Gaedke; Mary Schlicting; her stepson Donald (Barbara) Symolon. Surviving is her brother, Ernest (Alice) Southworth; daughters: Cynthia (Joe) Choma; Linda (Dan) Constantino; Linda Giannone; Janice Konkel; Lauren (Jim) Fordell; and stepson, Ronald (Cheryl) Symolon. Her grandchildren: Lisa (William) Gesaman; Andrea (William) Crowell; Amanda Choma (fiancé Douglas Thompson); Adam (Laura) Constantino; Gina (Justin) Crawford; Andrew Constantino; Delaney Fordell; Alec Fordell; Emily Fordell; Samuel (Mary) Symolon; Jeremy (Melissa) Symolon; Corrine Symolon; Paul (Trina) Symolon; Rebecca (Jeremy) Bione. Her great grandchildren: Elizabeth; Landry; Hannah; Everett; Paxton; Timothy; Ethan; Ryan; Delylah; Fisher. Her longtime companion, Sweetie the cat. A celebration of Carol’s life will be held on a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Lansing.