Carolyn Ann Tonkinson

February 15, 1937 – March 7, 2025

Carolyn Ann Tonkinson of Chicago, Illinois passed from this life on March 7, 2025, at the age of 88. She was surrounded with love by her immediate family as she made her peaceful transition into the hands of God.

Carolyn was the first child of Bernard Becker and Charlotte Koselka. She had three siblings. Joseph, Robert and Roberta.

She attended Funston Grammer School and graduated from Schurz High School.

Carolyn lived most of her life in Chicago, Illinois until she moved to Burlington, Wisconsin to be cared for by her son, James Tonkinson II’s family and then by her daughter Jacquelyn Howard and her partner, Derek Schroeder.

During a brief early marriage in her twenties, in which she had a daughter, Karyn Andrews (Tonkinson (Carl) Gartner). While being a single young mother, she courageously and with no hesitation took custody of her two siblings Robert and Roberta who she raised until their adulthood as their mother had passed away early in their life and their father was not available. This was not an easy task for a young woman in her twenties with a newborn baby, but her love for her siblings overshadowed all obstacles.

In her twenties, she worked as a data processor at Time-Life Books and as a part-time waitress at Luigi’s restaurant in Chicago, Illinois.

In 1963, she met the love of her life, James S. Tonkinson. They married on April 5. 1964.

They became the proud parents of three children, Jacquelyn (Steve) Howard, Kathryn (Chris) Sherrick and James (Marie) Tonkinson II. She was a proud grandmother to the children of Jacquelyn – Corey, Nicole, Gregory, Jeremy, Jasmine, Tiana, Cody and Katrina; of Kathryn – Carolyn and Justin; and of James - Amanda, Joules and Paisley. She also was a great-grandmother to six – Amiah and Liam (Children of Nicole (Darius) Rhone), Iain (Son of Jasmine (Trevan) Miles), Ermias (Son of Jeremy (Kayala) Howard), Emmet (Son of Tiana (Jessie) Howard) and Elizabeth (Daughter of Gregory (Carolyn) Carrington).

After the birth of her second child, Kathryn, she decided that her passion was to be a homemaker and mother to her beautiful children. She could not have been happier in any other role other than being a wife to her husband James.

Carolyn was known for her deep devotion to her church, St. Philip Lutheran Church. She and her beloved husband, James Tonkinson were church elders for over 40 years. Carolyn was also a founding member of the Lydia Guild of St. Philip Lutheran Church.

She also volunteered her time to her children and grandson’s school – St. Philip Lutheran School where she was the school Lunch Lady and someone who helped with extracurricular activities and bookkeeping. She was well loved by the students for her kindness and for her amazing chocolate chip cookies…which her enterprising children sold to students in their class from their lunches -students were more than happy to get their hands on more of Ms. T’s cookies. In fact, she was known for these cookies in her extended family and everyone who benefited indirectly or directly. People still talk about these cookies, and they are an immediate connection to her from all who knew her along with her baking skills in general. Baking and feeding others were just some of the many ways she showed her love for others.

She was well loved by her extended family, especially her connection to Ann (Annie) Tonkinson, Betty Werner, and Nancy Makoroff. She loved all her family and knew everyone even though it was a big family that extended into many generations. She did her best to attend every celebration that was held by family members – Birthdays, Graduations, Weddings, and Baby Showers. She never failed to send a card or gift in lieu of her presence.

She had lifelong friends, Betty Kash, Kay Krampitz, Jean Cook and Jackie Butzen.

Everyone she met loved her deeply, felt her kindness and will miss her. Her memory will be cherished by all who loved and knew her.

Her children and grandchildren will mourn her loss and remember in their hearts all the wonderful ways she was there for them, supported them and nourished them and through her unconditional love, she will live within them forever.

We will miss you mom and grandma.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 12 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Drake and Son Funeral Home, 5303 North Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 13 at 11:00 am at St. Philip Lutheran Church, 2500 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago, IL 60659. Burial will follow at Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago, IL.

Memorial contributions may be sent to St. Philip Lutheran Church, Chicago in loving memory of Carolyn.

Fond memories of Carolyn may be expressed at www.drakeandsonfuneralhome.com