Carol Ann Sarchet

The first e-mail address that Carol Sarchet chose for herself was “Sparrow1959”, and she had a sign saying “sparrow’s nest” hanging in her home. The family never thought to ask her why sparrows were significant to her, but now can see what an apt symbol they were for her. Sparrows are highly social songbirds with a widespread presence worldwide. They are highly adaptable, thriving on farms as well as on the sidewalks of big cities.

Carol grew up on a farm outside of Platteville, Colorado, where she started her education in a one-room schoolhouse. She had four siblings: Nancy (deceased), Bob, Jim and Linda. Carol graduated from Platteville High School.

Carol dreamed of adventure, world travel and living in a big city. She attended CSU for one year and met her husband Thomas Honse there. They married in 1957 and had three children: Julie, Laura and Stephen. Carol and Tom lived in Australia, New Zealand, Uruguay, and for many years in Brazil. Her passport filled up with stamps from visiting many countries, and she collected interesting stories about the things she saw and the people she met.

When the marriage ended in 1982, Carol decided to return to school. She came back to Colorado to study textiles and fashion design at Colorado State University. Even though it had been 25 years since her first year of college, her credits at CSU were still good. For her senior project, Carol made a peacock dress inspired by a dress she had seen that belonged to Queen Lili’uokalani of Hawai’i. Carol graduated, moved to New York City to pursue her creative dreams, and in a few short years became co-owner of a textile design archive. She also followed her curiosity wherever it led, making clothing and jewelry, dyeing and weaving fabric, designing furniture pieces and more. She received a certificate in millinery and volunteered at the Metropolitan Opera, helping with the design of hats and jewelry for opera singers on stage.

In 2003, Carol returned to Colorado to be closer to family. She continued to find joy in making, sharing and appreciating beautiful things. She continued her artistic practice in her studio, held art exhibits, and enjoyed visiting the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Botanic Gardens. Carol gave back to her community by funding a scholarship at CSU, hoping to offer other students the opportunity she had received when she studied there.

Carol passed away peacefully at home under a quilt made by her mother, listening to some of her favorite music.

Carol is survived by her daughters, Julie Kessinger and Laura Honse; her grandchildren Eve Anna McGee, Holly Kessinger, and Indio Kessinger; her brother Robert and sister-in-law Deanne Sarchet; her brother Jim and sister-in-law Marion Sarchet; her sister Linda and brother-in-law Mike Ryan; and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her son, Stephen Honse and her sister, Nancy Wait.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 10:30 am at Mountain View Methodist Church in Boulder, Colorado.

Contributions may be made in her memory to the CSU Avenir Museum in lieu of flowers.

Cremation is entrusted to Howe Mortuary & Crematory of Longmont, Colorado.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.howemortuary.com for the Sarchet family.