Carolyn Joan Franz

It is with deep love and great sorrow that we share the passing of Carolyn Joan Franz, who left this world peacefully on November 28, 2025, held closely by her daughters. Her exit was gentle, just as her life had always been.

Born on January 15, 1952, Carolyn carried a natural tenderness and humility from an early age. She devoted more than 40 years to nursing, a profession that perfectly reflected her patient, compassionate spirit. Through countless shifts, long nights, and tender moments, she cared for others with the same grace and quiet strength she brought to her everyday life.

Carolyn cherished the simple joys that made the world feel peaceful and full. She loved mornings on the water with a fishing pole, the thrill of hydroplane races, camping trips beneath wide summer skies, and the calming pull of the ocean. She found joy in cross-stitching blankets for her grandchildren, each one a gift of time, love, and her own gentle touch.

Every morning, she began her day with her cup of coffee and her Bible open in her recliner chair, studying Scripture with devotion and calm. Her faith anchored her, guided her decisions, and softened the way she moved through the world. She lived her beliefs quietly but deeply, in the way she loved, served, listened, and encouraged.

Carolyn’s greatest pride and joy was her family. She is survived by her daughters Nicole Franz and Erin McLean (Mitch); her grandchildren Keller, McKenna, Tenley, and Norah; and her brother Barry. She is preceded in death by her husband Rick, her parents Paul and Rita, and her brother Paul. She now rejoins them in eternal peace.

To those who loved her, Carolyn was a refuge: steady, gentle, and full of quiet wisdom. She made people feel safe. She made them feel heard. And she made life softer simply by being in it.

A private family service will be held according to her wishes. Those wishing to honor her life are invited to do so through acts of compassion, a quiet morning of reflection, or a simple moment in nature; the kinds of moments she loved most.