Carole Ellen O'Sullivan

Carole O'Sullivan, 75, of Santa Maria, California, passed on Wednesday, September 06, 2023. Carole was born on February 15, 1948. She was the daughter of the late James Alexander Neale and the late Eleanore Mae (Rideout) Neale. She was preceded in death by her parents and her late husband, Michael Joseph O’Sullivan.

Life can often be described as a journey of sorts; which essentially describes Carole's life. A very curious Carole grew up in Denton, Texas. She spent her early years on the University of North Texas campus; where her mother worked. Carole, a young girl, loved the vibrancy of the campus, particularly when an author would visit and lecture or a band would come and perform there. An avid reader, Carole often envisioned travel and what her later life might look like. One of her early favorite books was The Egg and I, by Betty MacDonald. Upon reading the novel, Carole envisioned what her life might be like on the West Coast. She envisioned living in the Pacific Northwest, on a small farm, in the country.

As a young woman, Carole met a man, Robert Hill, fell in love, married, and had five children; Robert Eric Hill, Joshua Nathan Hill, Heather Christine Hill, Honey Amanda Hill, and Benjamin Jason Hill. She and her husband embarked upon this new family adventure and settled into farm life on the outskirts of Atlanta, Texas. It was common for Carole to plant, tend, and harvest the vegetables, and tend to farm animals, which included sheep, cows, pigs, chickens, geese, a goat, dogs, cats, and a pony. Carole made her own butter, cheese, and yogurt. She canned jams, apple butter, and jelly. Carole was smart, educated, courageous, and practical. How she accomplished what she did, while raising five very active children, this writer cannot say.

Carole was adept at recognizing a problem and working out a solution. Her eldest son, Robert Eric, was dyslexic. Carole noticed he was having difficulty reading and keeping up with his peers at school. After confirming her suspicions by obtaining a diagnosis of young Robert's learning disability, she proceeded to teach him to read, add/subtract, and write. Carole read to her children almost every night. Often, many chapters, by authors like CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien, and many others. This writer believes that young Robert would not have succeeded in his own life without the time, patience, and dedication Carole took to teach him how to read and write.

Carole met her father, James Alexander Neale, later in life, while her own children were still young. This happened because Carole sought out her father and wanted to know more about him. This writer thinks, James Henry Neale, also desired to get to know more about Carole and her five young children. Around the same time, or a little later (this writer isn't sure), Carole met Jane! Jane Plumlee -Augustine and her brother Henry Neale are Carole's half-sister and brother. Carole was extremely excited to learn about Jane and Henry. As sisters, this writer would describe them as being the closest as sisters could be; sisters and best friends. Jane and Carole, though separated by distance, really did life together. This writer remembers some of the ideas or thoughts Carole often relayed to him started with or mentioned..."Jane said". Carole loved and respected Jane, her whole, whole life.

Carole was a brave and persistent woman. She did not let hardship or difficulty hinder her from pursuing her goals and objectives. Despite the responsibilities associated with maintaining a household, raising five children, and stretching the family's income to make life work, Carole found time and means to complete the degree she started at North Texas State University after she and her family relocated to Ogden, Utah. Carole took on additional employment, outside the home to help her family. This included working for the IRS. As Carole learned new skills, she came home and taught/shared those with her children. These skills included hiking, rock climbing, and tennis. Some of her favorite things to do were gardening, baking amazing bread, and pies. She loved music and self-taught to play the fiddle.

Sometimes big storms like hurricanes and floods, which washed things downriver, changed lives greatly. Divorce is like that as well. Through no fault of her own, Carole faced this challenge and the underlying causal factors during that marriage and later divorce with strength of character and courage.

Carole, step by step, formed a new life; one which would later be a new home and refuge for her children, in Hemet, California. This part of the story spans decades. What is important about this portion of Carole's journey in life is, that each and every one of her children found a new home, new life, and safe refuge with her. Each child flourished in the new home Carole had created for them and they each made it their home. All of Carole's children are thankful to call her Mom. Carole thought about her children all of the time and sought to help them through any challenge they found themselves. This writer can testify that Carole was actively involved in all of her children's lives and helped each of them in any way she could. Carole's sister Jane corroborates this writer’s observation.

Like a new plant, coming up in the Spring, life flourished for Carole. She met and fell in love with most possibly her soulmate, Michael O'Sullivan. Through thick and thin, Carole and Michael, did life together. Carole worked far away from where she lived. She and Michael arose very early, around 3:30 AM, each day. He would make her breakfast and pack her lunch. Carole had such long work/commute days then; usually 16 hours from door to door. Yet, life with Michael, made even the hard work and long hours joyful for her. They vacationed and explored the World together. Michael took Carole fishing and back to Ireland. Carole took Michael to the mountains. One of their favorite destinations was Mount San Jacinto, at the top, near the Palm Springs Tramway. Carole worked for the Santa Barbara County Road Department. She had a knack for researching contracts, right of way, and issuing the necessary permits for building and development. Carole loved her work and did it well. She later decided to retire. This was due to Michael having health problems which eventually took his life. Carole spent every available moment with Michael during that time.

Interwoven in this journey are Carole's additional family:

Sharon Hill - Daughter by marriage; Francisco Miranda - Son by marriage; Jason Kroh - Son by marriage; Laura Hill - Daughter by marriage; Grand Children; Shanterria "Shay" Allen - Granddaughter; Adam Hill - Grandson; Kacee Hill - Granddaughter; Chris Hill - Grandson; Ingrid Hill - Granddaughter; Erica Hill - Granddaughter; Nicholas Miranda - Grandson; Abigail Hill - Granddaughter; Andres Miranda - Grandson

Nathan Hill - Sam Miranda - Grandson; Grandson; Daniel Miranda - Grandson; and Great Grandchildren! They are: Madison Turner - Great Granddaughter; Serena Davis - Great Granddaughter.

Life and love renewed for Carole when she later met and fell in love with Robert "Bob" Mosher. Both, being widowed, hit it off and became quick friends. Carole and Bob celebrated and shared life together. They traveled as well for pleasure and to visit friends and family. Their excursions included Nebraska, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Mexico, Cambodia, and Vietnam. What impressed this writer about Carole and Bob was the demonstration of love for one another during all aspects of life; joy, hardship, difficulty, and sorrow. Both Carole and Bob each had different health challenges. It might not be a stretch to say, some partners would not have stood by the other when health problems got too difficult. This was not true for Carole and Bob. This writer hopes he could display the same courage and commitment during times of hardship that he saw Carole and Bob demonstrate. Wow. One sentence might best describe this. LOVE NEVER FAILS. I think those words might sum up this writer's mom's journey in life. Carole's love, never, ever, ever failed. This writer and we all will never ever forget you, Carole O'Sullivan. We love you back!

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at the Yorkshire Village for their care and compassion, along with Dr. James Moghtader, for his kindness.