Carol Jean Darnell, 84, of Kissimmee, FL, passed away on Monday, March 1, 2021. She was born in Corry, PA, on March 25, 1936, to George and Esther Bock She graduated from Brush High School in Cleveland, OH, in 1954, and Huron Road Hospital School of Nursing, Cleveland, OH, in 1957. She also attended Ohio State University, and was a huge OSU Buckeye fan. Carol was a very caring person and always loved to help people. She was a Registered Nurse for 25 years in Cleveland OH, Columbus, OH, and Orlando, FL. She also graduated from the University of Central Florida in 1976, receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She then became a school teacher and taught at Palmetto Elementary for 22 years before retiring in 2000. In 1996, she was Orange County’s Teacher of the Year, an accomplishment she was quite proud of. After her retirement as a school teacher, she continued teaching Sunday school at Bible Baptist Church in Kissimmee, where she was a member. She also was a volunteer at Osceola Regional Medical Center for many years.
Carol was also a member of the Central Florida Rose Society for many years, and enjoyed being a Consulting Rosarian. She had a passion for growing roses, and had over 100 rose bushes that she loved and cared for on a daily basis. Her roses won many ribbons at various rose shows in Central Florida. She loved all flowers and also had several orchids and Christmas cactus plants.
Carol was also the best cookie baker, especially at Christmas time. She would bake all different kinds of cookies, but her ginger snaps were the best ever! She also made delicious pumpkin pies from a recipe passed down to her from her mother, which she passed down to her daughter and granddaughter. She also made the best potato salad. There were never any leftovers when she made it.
Carol was married to Ronald Darnell for over 60 years. They loved to travel and visited many places around the world. She was an avid picture-taker and enjoyed making albums of their trips when they returned home.
Carol also loved many types of music. 50’s and 60’s music, Gospel, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Harry Connick, Jr., were some of her favorites, but her all-time cherished singer was Frank Sinatra. She loved seeing him perform in concert several years ago.
Carol is survived by her loving husband, Ronald, and her 3 children, Joann Darnell, David Darnell (Kim LeMay), and Thomas Darnell. She also has 5 grandchildren, Amber Fardeau (married to Jean-Paul Fardeau); Adam Lacienski; Ashleigh Brown (married to Jason Brown); Kelsey Darnell, and Madison Darnell. Her great-grandchildren are Rachel Whitlock, Aven Fardeau, Bentley Brown, and another great-grandchild due in July, Everly Fardeau.
Services will be held at Family Funeral Care, 13001 South John Young Parkway, Orlando, FL 32837, on Friday, March 12, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, FL 34734. In lieu of flowers, you may make a charitable contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association, www,alz.org.
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