With heavy hearts we inform you that Carol Lee Renley passed peacefully on June 22, 2021, at the age of 84. We are extremely grateful to God to have had her in our lives for so many wonderful years. She went to Heaven to be reunited with her loving husband, John. She was a generous, elegant, creative, stylish, beautiful soul, yet also spirited, determined, and feisty.
Carol was born in Ontario, California on January 8, 1937 ( fun fact, she shares her birthday with former President Richard Nixon and Elvis Presley) to Charles and Nora Buscarino. She was the eldest daughter; her sister Donna preceded her in death in 2009. She is survived by her son Jeff, daughter-in-law Nicole, daughter Kristin, grandson Connor, nephews: Bryan, Brad, Kent, Craig, and niece Stacy.
Carol Lee spent her childhood in San Gabriel, Los Angeles, Whittier, and Pico Rivera with her younger sister and parents. She enjoyed making paper dolls, mud pies, roller skating, hopscotch, listening/singing to music, and participated in Girl Scouts. During her teenage years at El Rancho High (my parents were the very first graduating class in 1954) she focused more on her social life than her studies enjoying going to dances, movies, and parties. She worked part-time at the movie theatre and was a flagster, which led her to meet the “Love of her Life”, John, a football player. They married after graduating on September 1, 1956.
Prior to motherhood, she worked as a bank teller at Bank of America and a receptionist at Kaiser Aluminum. John and Carol started their family and were blessed with two children, Jeff and Kristin. Carol was a devoted wife and mother. Her biggest joy and accomplishment was raising her family in La Habra. She was beloved by her children and they were the center of her world (and we would also add: World’s BEST Mother) always volunteering at school, sports, scouts, church….activities.
Carol enjoyed square dancing, music, going to concerts, gardening, Bible study, and was passionate about home décor, cooking, and the latest fashion styles. She had a penchant for expensive cars and jewelry, the color blue, white wine, See’s candies (bridge mix was her favorite), and shopping at Nordstrom. She and our Dad enjoyed traveling, dancing, and fine dining. Two of her favorite destinations were San Francisco (where they spent their honeymoon) and Hawaii. Her life was enhanced abundantly with the arrival of her only grandson, Connor, whom she loved deeply and was her happiest when she spent time with him.
She leaves behind an adoring family and many wonderful friends who admired her generosity, grace, and class. She will be remembered for her family dinners, entertaining, eye for style, love of the ocean, and devotion to those she loved.
We want to give special thanks to the caregivers (Angels, really) at Silverado, a loving and caring community where both Carol and John resided until their lives here on Earth came to an end. Carol Lee leaves an emptiness in our hearts, but also a beautiful legacy of love and faith. Our Mother shaped our lives in every way. We will always cherish her. The family would like to thank everyone who loved and cherished Carol. She left this world knowing she was truly loved by many.
*If desired, in lieu of flowers we kindly ask for donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation in her name.
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