Jean Helen Carroll

Jean Helen (Winnemuller) Carroll passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 6th, 2025 at Salem Hospital, at the age of 71, surrounded by her loving family. She succumbed to complications from lung cancer, which she developed despite being a non-smoker.

Jean was born in Port Washington, Wisconsin, the fourth of nine children born to Francis and Bernice (Bossler) Winnemuller. She graduated from Port Washington High School in 1971 and Moraine Park Technical Institute in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in 1975. While attending Moraine Park she met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Carroll of Hartford, while they were both students. They married in 1977 in Port Washington and moved to Portland, Oregon in 1979 for Bob’s job with Tektronix. Jean and Bob were blessed with two children — McKenzie and Ryan, and three beautiful grandchildren.

In 1981, Jean completed her Associate’s degree in nursing at Portland Community College. She proudly worked for Providence Hospital for nearly 35 years. She worked as a registered nurse at St. Vincent’s Hospital from 1983 to 1999 and then at the Providence Newberg Hospital until 2018. In 2009, Jean’s compassion and dedication to others was recognized by Providence when she was one of three people awarded the Spirit of Emilie Mission Inspiration Award, which is voted on by Providence employees. She went on to serve as a nursing supervisor for the last ten years of her career before retiring in 2018. In retirement, Jean loved spending time with friends and family, especially her three grandchildren - you could find them baking bread, walking to the park or doing art projects.

Jean was loved by everyone, to know her was to love her. As her husband Bob put it, Jean gave so much and asked for so little. She was always thoughtful, kind and caring, quick with a laugh or funny story, and had the biggest heart. We will forever remember the light and love that surrounded her, her warm and genuine smile and will try to emulate the dignity and grace she exuded.

Jean is survived by her husband Bob of Monmouth, her daughter McKenzie (Nate) Combs of Salem and her son Ryan (Brandon Chelotti) of San Bruno, California and grandchildren Ellie, Jack, and Oliver Combs. She is also survived by her four brothers Paul, John, David, Jim, and four sisters Rose, Mary, Lois, and Lori, as well as many sisters- and brothers-in law, nieces and nephews and their children. Jean was preceded in death by both of her parents and three of her nephews.

The family would also like to thank the doctors and nurses at Salem Health for the tremendous care and support provided during her final week.

Funeral service and reception will be held at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Home in Salem, OR on January 18th. The service will be held at 11am with a reception to follow at noon. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Feed the Children, either domestic or international, per Jean’s request.