Carol Ann Matrose

May 6, 1936 ♡ July 23, 2023

Dearly beloved mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, cousin and friend, Carol Matrose, 87, returned to her heavenly home on Sunday, July 23, 2023. She was born in Hamilton Beach, N.Y., the only daughter of the late Edward and Anna Donnelly, dear sister to her late brother Raymond (Rose), and twin to her late brother Charles (Janice).

Carol's absolute soulmate is her late husband William, also known as Buddy. He passed 12 years earlier on their 56th wedding anniversary. For that reason, we chose their anniversary date, Sept. 3, for her service. They are finally reunited for eternity.

Two of Carol's children have preceded her in death: daughter Debra O'Day in January 2023 and son Wayne (Debbie) Matrose in June 2018

She is survived by her daughter Judy (John); grandchildren John Jr., Christopher (Darlene), Robert (Veronica), Derrek (Lani), Clarissa (Michael), Aaron (Amelia), Jeremy (Kersten), Justin, Mylea (Mel), Niko (Shizue), Deanna (John), and Michael.

She was also blessed with 15 great-grandchildren: Mason, Madison, Landon, Christopher Arianna, Melanie, Mona, Renée, Chase, Tripp, Max, Jack, Ella, Aubrey and Olivia.

Carol was a true and faithful servant of God. She was often seen praying her Rosary while sitting on her walker in the fresh morning air. As a young child, her faith did not permit her to read the Bible, but as years went by and rules were lifted, she found great comfort in reading her Scriptures daily.

As a young mother with three children, Carol always gave of herself and her time. She taught religion, sewing, needlepoint, hospitality and more to Girl Scouts so they could earn their badges – then she taught Cub Scouts. She also hosted swim parties for the neighborhood kids and organized block parties. The list goes on and on. She did all of this while managing her home and cooking homemade dinners every night, including dinners for extended family on Sundays, and working part time at Brings Bakery.

Once empty nesters, Carol and Buddy moved to golfing communities and started traveling the world. They sailed the Nile, braved crazed swans in Thailand and fed hungry orphans in India. She once got stuck with her short legs on the back of a camel in the Far East. Their worldly experiences go on and on.

In later years, Carol remained busy – now with her many crafts. People in her senior village dubbed her "the energizer bunny" because she was always in motion.

Over the last few years, Carol worked her arthritis-crippled hands to crochet more than 100 sweater caps (known as toboggans here in the South) annually for the homeless in our communities. It's quite common during cold months to drive past someone on the street wearing one of Grandma's original toboggans.

She was in many ways quiet, but she was quick to tell a story for a good laugh. Years ago, she wrote some of her funniest memories and crafted them into books for her family. She adored her grandchildren. Every time the family got together, Grandma was ready and waiting for games. Her favorites would surely be poker, Pokeno and Phase 10 – unless someone mentioned going to some slot machines!

In memory of Carol and her amazing love with Buddy that created this huge family filled with love, please cherish each other.

Tell someone that you love them. When they look at you puzzled, say it again, but with more feeling. We never know when it will be the last time we get to say it, or they get to hear it.

The love lives on long after the flesh is gone.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Carol's memory to: www.mychurchconnection.net or www.childrensalopeciaproject.org.

Christian memorial service to be followed by celebration of Carol's beautiful life, will be held Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023, from 4 to 8 p.m. Please come join us at the William R. Davie Park Conference Center, 4635 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28226.

Be moved by this memorial service for a long life well lived. Share in the celebration of Carol's life and the busy hands that never stopped giving with love.

All are welcome.

Holland Funeral service is caring for the Matrose family.