Miss Carolyn will be greatly missed by many people whether they knew her for years or a short time.  Cindi put it very well.  I met Carolyn through by best friend Jan, her neighbor.  She was always happy and just adored children and she loved Buddy the dog after he came to live with Jan.  Every time she saw me over there she would always come out to visit. She loved working in the yard and her flowers.  She did take great pride in her work and if she was off she would always be so anxious to get back.  I remember so many times seeing her out raking leaves and they would be falling as fast as she could rake -she just liked to stay busy. She wanted her yard perfect and I have seen her get out there with scissors to trim the edges! And when it snowed-she was up before anyone else had a chance to get out there a lot of the time and would be shoveling the sidewalk, not only in front of her house but, the coffee shop and all the way down the block.  She was a tiny woman with a huge heart of gold. The previous owners of the coffee shop had several children and they all loved Carolyn and she would bring them over to play especially the littlest one.  And she seemed to know and speak to everyone that walked by.  I will really miss her - it is hard to imagine going over and her not being there to share a laugh with.  Please know that she was a special lady loved by many. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.  Sherry

I was asked to post what I read at Carolyn's Funeral Mass.  Here it is.

Carolyn
Our Family called her mom, Caroline, Carolyn like her name was spelled, grandma, and even Crazy Grandma, but I am not sure she heard the names she should have been called by us and if we did never often enough.  Hard working, humble, generous, kind, loving, satisfied.  As you know she was a tiny lady but probably one of the hardest working people I have ever known.  She worked her entire life mostly at physical labor and never complained.  At Memorial hospital she folded and packaged towels for the surgery and was so proud that she could do them faster than most and so well that comments were frequently made about the quality of her work from the OR staff.  She was volunteering, but she still would do it right.   One of my memories of her hard work was the day before Don and I got married and we had rented a white tent for the reception, except it was a gray tent when we got it.  Carolyn knew I was upset and got busy.  Within minutes the tent was spread out on the neighbor's driveway and Carolyn was down on her hands and knees with a bucket of soapy water and a scrub brush.  We all helped and on my wedding day I had a white tent.    
Carolyn never expected to be thanked for working hard it was who she was, but she did appreciate any recognition she received.  She was so happy with each expression of gratitude she got from anyone.  She literally saved every card, ever letter from her supervisors of a job well done, any small gift or token of thanks.  While looking for pictures I found many of these things and was touched that so many people did recognize how amazing she was.
As family we were often embarrassed by Carolyn's kindness and loving attitude toward everyone she met.   Everywhere we went with her and I do mean everywhere, she treated everyone like they were her best friend.  She knew every employees names at Safeway and Walgreens, she introduced herself to the waiters and busboys when we went out for Easter brunch.  She treated every one of our sponsored cadets or guests in our home as if they were her family.  That's where the name crazy grandma came from.  We always wanted to keep an eye on her in case she was too friendly.  This week I have had a chance to read cards, hear people talk about Carolyn, and even see her picture put up in the Raven's Nest Coffee shop and on their website.  Clearly what we saw as social awkwardness was genuinely appreciated by many people.  Really how could we as her family, question her true goodness.
Carolyn was never rich, in fact she lived on very little, but she always seemed satisfied and wanted to give to others.  I was surprised when I found a thank you note from a Native American child.  Apparently she had sent money to help them go to school.  I suspect I will find many more surprises like this.  She was also known for her Tootsie Roll giving.  She always brought them to Jenna and Jon when she came to our house.  This week the secretary's from one of her doctor's offices called to say how much they will miss her kindness and the Tootsie Rolls she brought.  Apparently she took them many places.  
I never saw Carolyn angry, even when it would be reasonable for her to be angry.  I know I put her in that position and clearly her son did recently and numerous times when he was growing up.  He has a very clear memory of when they lived in California of how he managed to get her car stranded on a sandbar when the tide came in.  Apparently she took the news well, told Don it would work out one way or the other and waited to see what happened.  She was able to get her car back and didn't have the embarrassment of making things more important than people.
Our children Jenna and Jonathan will remember a grandma who always had time for them.  When she was with them what they said and what they wanted to do was truly important.  She was always happy to play with them.  When they were little she would be on the floor playing in the toy kitchen with Jenna or doing Legos with Jonathan.  As they got older she loved playing games with them and going to any of their special events.  Now as young adults they will remember every holiday included a puzzle with grandma and typically some kind of card game.   Carolyn was a shrewd card player.   Canasta was her favorite and I have no doubt she would be a tough competitor for anyone.
Carolyn loved watching football especially her Green Bay Packers.  Her weekends often revolved around the football schedule.  On the last day of her life she was watching college ball.  That day she was still Carolyn doing something she loved.  She had a hard life by many people's standards, but she lived it well, with a positive attitude and without complaining.  I believe she had few regrets if any because she lived life right.  She put faith above fear, people above things, and took pleasure in the small things.

Cindi Dolata (Daughter in Law)

Miss Carolyn was my friend & next door neighbor for over 13 years.  She's the reason I work at Memorial - she recommended me.  I have many fond memories of her but one of my favorites is of her & I standing on top of my picnic table with our arms around each other watching the fireworks for the Olympics.  Carolyn, I love you & will miss you dearly as well Ron & our dog Buddy!

Ms. Irvine was a sweet and loving person. She will be greatly missed.

Carolyn was a loveable lady and a hard worker.  She will be greatly missed at Memorial.  Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. 
Sandy from Sterile Processing at Memorial.

We are sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that your family is in the prayers of many people

Ms Irvine was a ray of sunshine, she always had a smile, a hug and a positive message. She will be missed greatly by everyone at Dr. Christoff's office.

Don, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother.  She was such a kind hearted woman.  She loved Elizabeth and was so good to her.  I always looked forward to seeing her when I looked after Elizabeth and missed her (and worried) if I didn't see her.  Elizabeth, Brian, Stephanie, and I wiwll all miss "Miss Caroline" very much.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Carolyn Irvine

28 avril 1930 – 13 octobre 2012

Swan-Law Funeral Directors

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