Carol Ann Golan Quentin

To everyone around her, Carol seemed to be eternally happy, and she willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life she touched. For Carol, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, she could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Carol really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

Carol was born on January 16, 1947 at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents were Frank and Sophie Golan. Carol was raised in Cicero, Illinois. Even as a child, Carol had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around her. She was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. She could not help but capture everyone’s attention, which was quite an accomplishment in such a large extended family.

She enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” Her favorite class in high school was English and she graduated from Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park, Illinois in 1965.

Carol reveled in her college years, where her imagination could run free. She was a jovial person who loved to share her passion for fun with others. But for Carol, life was not a case of all play and no work. Carol relished the task of putting her imagination to work in class. She was able to discover new and different ways of answering problems and creating unusual and different solutions. She earned her Associates Degree from Morton College in Cicero, Illinois.

Carol never actually encountered a stranger in her dealings with people. She was drawn to individuals and crowds, using her gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate her audience. This quality allowed Carol to continually develop new relationships, ever widening her circle of friends. Carol utilized her interest in others as a great way to connect with them. Some of her friends included: the Bescos, the Golans, the Havliceks, the Shaws, Kathy Pope and many girls from the library.

The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Carol very easy to approach. On April 22, 1972 Carol exchanged wedding vows with Ronald E. Quentin at Our Lady of Charity Catholic Church of Cicero, Illinois. She tried hard not to impose on her spouse. She was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped Carol in raising her own children. Carol and Ron were blessed with two children, one son, Brian and one daughter, Michele. They were also blessed with one grandson, Matthew. Carol had the ability to focus her attention on the present moment. If she was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of her attention was directed. Carol's compassionate side prevented her from being a strict disciplinarian, and she could turn just about any situation into a playful, learning experience. She could spend hours entertaining them with fun and creative play. In fact, Carol had a knack for turning some of those nasty old chores into games.

At work, as in life, Carol was a real “people person. ” she had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and her enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. When dealing with various projects and problems, Carol was an adaptable realist, using her common sense and trusting her experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Carol's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around her to see Carol as an excellent problem solver. Her primary occupation was as an administrative assistant at the Lisle Library where she was employed for more than 20 years.

Carol enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. An “arts and crafts” type, Carol liked creating and making things. Her favorite pursuits were collecting cookbooks, collecting frogs (as we say in Polish "zaba"), cooking and reading. She even authored the (Zaba) family cookbook. Carol was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others. She was also very proud of her Polish heritage.

Carol eventually became a sports fan through her sports-fanatic, husband and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list was Bears football.

Carol had an endless appetite for new and different activities. She was always ready to join in the fun and add her flair and energy to an organization. Because of her personality, her humor, and her ability to get along with everyone, Carol's service was greatly valued by the organizations to which she belonged. Throughout her later years, Carol was a room mom at her children's school and active in the Lisle Women's Club.

Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Carol recognized that her faith was important to her throughout her life. She was a member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church for more than 30 years.

It is no surprise that Carol loved to travel and to visit new and different places. She was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. She was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included Caribbean and South American cruises and casino trips.

Carol was a lover of animals and cherished her pets, enjoying them almost as much as she enjoyed being around other people. One of Carol's favorites was her son's dog, Brownie, a Boston Terrier/Beagle mix, who she loved to babysit!

Carol passed away on November 7, 2010 at Mercy Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Carol had a difficult fight against an uncommon disorder, myasthenia gravis. She is survived by her beloved husband, Ron; her loving children, Brian (Tammy) and Michele; her devoted mother, Sophie; and her cherished grandson, Matthew.

Carol brought joy to all of those around her. She never had a mean bone in her body. She loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. She loved to share her energy, wit, and her zest for all of her activities with her friends and family. Carol Ann Quentin lived life to its fullest and made everyone around her happier just for knowing her. She will be remembered with a smi

Carol Ann Quentin, nee Golan, age 63, beloved wife for 38 years of Ronald E.; cherished mother of Brian (Tammy) Quentin and Michele Quentin; loving grandmother of Matthew; devoted daughter of Sophie (late Frank) Golan; and fond aunt of many. Visitation Thursday, November 11, 2010 from 3-8 pm at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home 5015 Lincoln Ave., Lisle (on Rt. 53, ½ mile south of Ogden Ave. / Rt. 34) where funeral services will begin Friday, November 12, 2010 at 9:15 am and proceed to St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church for mass at 10:00 am. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery. For additoinal information, call the funeral home at 630-964-9392.