Carol Dorothy Shoemaker

78, of Phoenix, AZ, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 22, 2014 after battling a long illness. Carol was born in February 1936 in New York City, NY. Her family moved to Arizona during her teenage years, allowing her the opportunity to attend Xavier High School in Phoenix. Horses were the love of her life in her youth and Carol would ride everywhere on horseback. She moved to California for a brief time and met her husband of 53 years; before they returned to the Phoenix area. Carol worked for years in the grocery business, all for one company, A.J. Bayless markets. Carol later became a real estate broker in Phoenix area and found success; as she enjoyed speaking with people she contacted. Carol’s passion, however, was baking custom cakes. She became known as “the cake lady” in the cake decorating circles and made many friends as a result. In her spare time, Carol was a volunteer for Little League Baseball, in the local District 2, holding all of the various positions from president on down during her long tenure. Carol was cherished by all those who knew her and will be deeply missed. She will be remembered as an intelligent, hard-working, and funny lady who loved her friends and family. She is survived by her husband Ronald Shoemaker; her children Tom Shoemaker (Elizabeth), Rich Shoemaker (Kathy), Mike Shoemaker (Lori); her grandchildren Christian Shoemaker, Sarah Smith, Elijah Shoemaker, Jonah Shoemaker, Mandi Bilyou, Hali Noelke, Cari Oxman, Sean Shoemaker, Amanda Buck, Katie Shoemaker, Josh Shoemaker, as well as 13 great-grandchildren; her brother William Erik Thorne; and many nieces and nephews. Carol will be honored with a Visitation, 5:00pm to 8:00pm, Monday, June 30, 2014 at Greenwood Memory Lawn Mortuary, 719 N. 27th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85009, and with a Funeral Mass,10:00am, Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at Ss Simon and Jude Cathedral Catholic Church, 6351 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85017.