Compassionate. Loyal. Strong. Determined. Confident. Encouraging. Instinctive. Loving. Wise. Fearless. Fighter.

 

These are only a few words to aptly describe Carol.

 

Daughter. Sister. Cousin. Niece. Aunt. Mother. God Mother. Grandmother. Friend. Saint.

 

Whatever you needed her to be she was.

 

Carol was a major portion of the foundation in her family.

 

She always strived to do what was necessary to help those she loved.

 

Whether it was advice, someone to just listen or even someone on your side; Carol was always there for those who needed her.

 

She believed in those she loved even if their ideals were unconventional.

 

Yet she had her own beliefs and if she felt you were wrong or misguided, she was guaranteed to set you straight.

 

While her family spread across the globe, instead of missing them it was taken as an opportunity for adventure.

 

An adventurer to her core. She was fearless.

 

Many of us spend our lives and never leave home more than a few times.

 

Her travels have taken her many places and her life was richer because of it.

 

Italy. Japan. Germany. Austria. Spain. Florida. North Carolina. Washington D.C.. Hawaii

 

Anywhere she went made her more of the person we all came to love and cherish.

 

No matter where she went though, New Mexico was her home and always will be.

 

Much like her Father and Mother, she was content with the simple things in life.

 

She never desired such aspirations as a fancy car, a luxurious home or other various expensive luxuries.

 

Morning coffee outside, family dinners, unexpected visits, holidays with family and dates of celebration were things she looked forward too.

 

These things were the joys of life for her.

 

To Carol her luxuries held place in her children and grandchildren.

 

And if you were lucky enough, she'd adopt you as was the case with Kevin, Larry and me.

 

Though we weren't born to her, we were no less her children than Susan, Nancy and Stephanie in her eyes.

 

Nancy & Kevin graced all of our lives with Natassia, Giovanni, Giorgio, Giusto, Katrina and Gino.

 

The addition of Larry Trahan into Susan's life came three more beloved grandchildren; Michael, Marcus and Erin.

 

Nine grandchildren, brought to her from different paths in life, loved equally.

 

There are so many of us, her kids, and so many of you all here today. A true testament to her love, as here we are to remember and celebrate her life.

 

Even if she was mad at you or things were perfectly fine, she loved us all equally.

 

She never saw love in black & white. There was no grey area. Her heart was big enough for all of us.

 

We are all called to be like Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Carol was a more shining example of this than virtually anyone else I've known in my life.

 

She loved but never passed judgement. Even if it felt like it.

 

Her love was so great that if conviction came over your heart through her words it was a sure sign that you needed to change something. But she would also guide you toward being your best and doing that which was right.

 

Perhaps this comes from her faith. A faith that held until the end.

 

A faith that held even through all her plights and life challenges.

 

We were all there. We all watched as she fought, struggled, rose above, endured and eventually came to the end of her journey.

 

She successfully beat her cancers and faced the many challenges that were brought her way. But it never killed her resolve.

 

It was us, her own personal cheerleaders, that gave her the energy to keep up that fight.

 

She felt blessed to have the support of us all. But it was all of us who were truly lucky to have her.

 

Carol showed that sixty-seven years of life are enough to love so many.

 

A brightly radiating ray of sunlight, Carol will continue to be the guiding light for all who knew her