Carol (Kostello) Frederick

July 25, 1944 - February 1, 2012

Carol Frederick passed away peacefully on Feb. 1 after a brave battle with cancer. Carol was a beloved grandmother, mother, sister, cousin and friend. She touched many lives. Carol spent 30 years as a newborn nursery nurse. She was active in her church and an accomplished baker. Carol is survived by her son Kevin Frederick of Dallas, daughter Kirsten Kendrick of Seattle, brother John Kostello of Naples, Fla., and grandsons David and Matthew Frederick and Delton Kendrick. In lieu of flowers, a fund has been set up in Carol’s name through the American Cancer Society to help fight the rare bile duct cancer that took her life. Online donations please specify cancer research and donations by check please specify “for Carol Frederick-restricted pancreatic-Dallas.” A funeral mass will be held Friday, Feb. 3, at 1 p.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Plano.

Arrangements under the direction of Ted Dickey West Funeral Home, Dallas, TX.

Eulogy for Carol Frederick

Written by her daughter Kirsten Kendrick

Read at funeral mass Friday, Feb. 3, 2012

At Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Plano, Texas

Fog rolled in during the pre-dawn hours of February first, 2012. That’s the day Carol Frederick peacefully drew her last breath.

But the morning didn’t stay calm for long. There was also lightning in the sky. It was almost like there was a party for Carol! A celebration that she was now free of pain and enjoying everlasting peace.

For the past four months, Carol fought a brave and grueling battle against a rare, aggressive, and incurable disease - cancer of the bile duct.

Even thought her prognosis wasn’t good, you wouldn’t know it by talking to Carol.

She never gave up hope. Her good friend Catherine said a perfect example of this was the day after Christmas last year. That’s when Carol asked Catherine to take her shopping so she could check out the bargains, and get more “to” and “from” gift tags for Christmas this year…because she was “all out.”

That’s optimism. That’s faith.

Faith was something Carol certainly had. She was a devout Catholic…who received communion until her final days of life. She recited the rosary every night before she went to sleep. She said prayers for others who were suffering. And they, in turn, said prayers for her in her time of need.

In the words of one of the many friends who came to visit her in the hospital this week: “Carol took care of so many people.” Indeed she did.

Carol worked for 30 years as a nurse caring for newborns at two hospitals here in Plano. She also worked as a night nurse in many people‘s homes. And they treated her like family. The children she cared-for often called her “Aunt Carol.” But the name she most loved to be called was “grandma.”

Carol loved her three grandsons so very much. David and Matthew live here in Dallas. And Delton lives in Seattle. She was so proud of each of them, and was always thinking of ways to spoil them and make them feel special. She loved spending time with her grandsons, and talking with them on the phone. She talked to all of them this past week, and they made her smile.

In addition to her family, Carol also treasured her friends. She had a lot of them, which is quite evident by the turnout here today. Carol loved dining out and shopping with her friends…and showering them with baked goods!

All of you know how good her crescent cookies, lemon bars and cakes were! Carol’s baked goods were unforgettable. But so was her smile and her laugh.

Her cousin Mary remarked that “Once you met Carol, you never forgot her.”

We certainly will never forget her. She will live in our hearts forever. And may she rest in peace.