My aunt died on the 13th. I posted her obituary on Wednesday, after it had been published in the major papers in central Iowa.
A longer obituary, what I’d rather call a remembrance, for my aunt was sent to several newspapers in eastern South Dakota, near where she grew up, including the Lake Preston Times, which published a shorter version. I am including it here. My mom forwarded it to me. One of my aunt’s cousins had sent it to her. The cousin briefly described the memorial service.
The service was wonderfully upbeat just as Carol wanted it to be. Nearly half of those attending wore purple, including the funeral home directors’ ties and the minister’s shirt. The service was inspirational, and the food (planned by Carol) was wonderful, including purple (Grape) jello, purple napkins, and Carol’s favorite Reese’s peanut butter cups. One thing Carol always told James and Mary Lou was that since they were usually late for events, they could NOT be late to her funeral. The minister ended the service by telling Carol that the kids were on time, so not to worry. It was a fitting ending for a wonderful service.
The longer obituary gives a more complete view of her quirky personality. I will be writing more about her, my memories and thoughts, at some point.
Carol Hill Chitty, 66, of Colo, Iowa, passed away Monday, February 13, 2012, at Prime Nursing and Rehab in Des Moines after a long battle with cancer. Funeral services were held at the United Methodist Church in Colo, Iowa on February 17, 2012.
Carol Hill was born in Huron, South Dakota, on December 2, 1945 to Raymond and Marilyn (Hay) Hill. Carol grew up on a farm near Erwin, South Dakota and graduated from high school in 1963. Childhood weekends were spent playing softball with her brothers and her Rasmussen cousins from Lake Preston. Carol never lost the ability to hit the ball out of the park, as evidenced at family reunion softball games through the years. Following high school graduation, Carol worked part-time at a grocery store in Bryant, South Dakota. She also spent three summers working in Salem, Oregon picking berries and working as a cook. She later worked summers in Yellowstone National Park. In 1969, Carol moved with her family to Colo, Iowa where she met the love of her life, Robert Chitty. They were engaged on Halloween 1970, and were married on Valentine’s Day 1971. To this union were born two children, James and Mary Lou. Sadly, Bob passed away in 1977 from heart disease, leaving Carol to raise their two young children.
During these years, Carol worked first at a local hospital as a cook, and later with her mother, Marilyn, cooking for the Colo School system. Carol was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the late 1990’s, and after treatment, was in remission for several years before the cancer returned. Carol was always more concerned about other people and how they were dealing with her cancer than she was for herself. She touched the lives of doctors, nurses and other patients and became their friend. Her personal relationship with God sustained her through her illness and was an inspiration to those who knew her.
Carol loved all things purple, playing ball, bowling, Yahtzee, lions, tiger, butterflies and all of nature. She loved telling jokes and was the master of puns. Carol loved bright colors, as evidenced by the wild, often mismatched patterned socks she wore during her chemo treatments and hospitalizations. Wearing these socks was one example of Carol’s optimistic personality. She always looked on the bright side of life, being thankful for what she had. A visit with Carol was sure to leave you with a smile on your face and a happy heart. Even though her body was ravaged by illness, her spirit never wavered. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Carol is survived by her son, James Chitty, of Colo, Iowa; her daughter Mary Lou Chitty and friend Tim Anderson of Des Moines, Iowa, her mother Marilyn (Bill) Geisler of Salem, Oregon; her brothers Loren Hill of Contoocook, NH and Leslie (Audrey) Hill of Salem, Oregon; her sister Cindy Hill of Carroll, Iowa, and two grandchildren, Tim and Tiffany Nguyen of Des Moines, Iowa.
Others who were blessed to have shared her life are aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends. She was preceded in death by her father Raymond Hill and her husband Robert Chitty.
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