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Carol Jean Cornell, age 87, of St. Johns, MI, passed away, November 17, 2021, at home with her family. She was born February 7, 1934, in St. Johns, MI, the daughter of Arthur & Beatrice (Rowe) Munro. She married Keith Harvey Cornell in 1955, he preceded her in death on December 1, 2002. Carol was a graduate of St. Johns High School. She had a strong nurturing side to her, showing it in her position as a teacher’s aide at St. Johns High School and also as a nurse’s aide at Clinton Memorial Hospital and Hazel Finley Care Facility. Carol was still active in her Lutheran church by attending her weekly Ladies Bible Study. She was so fortunate, she said, to have a new group of wonderful friends at her age! Carol loved people and loved her Lord. Carol also participated in the Owosso Christian Singles group for many years. Carol was private about her faith in younger years, but she and Keith raised their children in the Episcopal Church. It was her strong faith and family that enabled Carol to survive the devastating loss of her son, Mark, last year. Carol wanted her children to be the best they could be. And gave all she could to them. She was generous with her time with her children and their friends. She shared her talent for having fun. Playing games with them, teaching them to cook, and creating scavenger hunts. Even her sons, Mark and Keith, enjoyed cooking as adults. Carol provided her children with opportunities to explore their own passions, such as music, writing, painting and sculpting. Carol would join her family in sledding during snowy winter days on Crow Mountain with their Dad Keith, despite her well known dislike of cold weather! We all remember her baking hundreds of Christmas cookies for her children, grandchildren, and their friends to decorate. Carol was an avid reader, and delighted in swimming, and gardening. She loved entertaining for family gatherings and traveling with her husband, Keith. They visited their daughters, Connie and Suzy, in Texas many winters. Their husbands, Kirk and Pat, chauffeured them all to Rodeos, concerts, and musicals. They explored caves, went on abundant bluebonnet wildflower road trips, and dined out with gusto. Carol’s son, Keith, and his wife, Michelle, lived nearby. Carol was tickled by the energy of their young children and enjoyed their birthday celebrations. Michelle and Keith were both kind caregivers for Carol during her later years. Carol and her lifetime friend, Marlene, shared many creative endeavors. They designed clothing, decorated for family graduations and weddings. And spent many joyful times together redecorating Carol’s home. Carol expressed that she just loved beautiful things, nature, birds and especially flowers. She was a classy lady. She took pleasure in dressing up sharp with all the accessories, and making people smile with her unique and surprising wit. Shopping with her daughters and granddaughters was a special treat for Carol. She liked to keep up with fashion; they had no trouble convincing her to buy a pair of blue jeans with sparkles on her back pockets! Carol was feisty and determined. She enjoyed getting out and experiencing it all. She really loved to live life to the fullest. Her friends, Dorella and Dale, were often cohorts in adventures. Carol’s niece, Beth, visited with her often, savoring special cookies and tea, bringing pretty gifts, and sharing their tender hearts. Carol could become frustrated when her body wouldn’t do what she wished. But, she was not one to complain about her pain and illnesses. Carol was blessed to have a very intuitive physical therapist, and they had a great rapport, going back and forth with jokes and silly come backs. Carol was always up for new experiences. But she also taught us to revel in the simple things in life. Spending quiet time with family. Watching television with a big bowl of popcorn and a beer. Making homemade fudge or other treats to go with that popcorn! She fostered a competitive spirit in her children during games of Monopoly, Clue, and card games. Her recipe for soothing us from a troubled day, was ice cream or chocolate cake or both! Some of her many enjoyments included swimming and floating on the lake, playing cards, a summer bonfire and camp outs. Carol made people laugh with stories of her life adventures. She was a talented writer and artist. We look forward to rediscovering her writings and artwork. Carol is survived by her children, Constance E. (Kirk) Deatrick, Suzanne K. (Patrick) Palmer and Keith M. (Michelle) Cornell; her grandchildren Shelly (Jeff) Neifert, Kelly (Irl)Lutz, Heather (Justin) Eldridge, Mark A. Cornell, Keith F. Cornell and Matthew Cornell; and her great grandchildren, Lyndon Lutz, Aidan Lutz, Brendan Eldridge, Mallori Eldridge, Kadrian Neifert, and Riley Cornell. In addition to her husband Keith, she was preceded in death by her eldest son Mark Douglas Cornell; her parents; and her siblings, June, Phyllis, Bruce and Kay. A memorial service will be held at the ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 511 E. STURGIS. ST. JOHNS, MICHIGAN, on Saturday, December 11. Visitation from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, Church Service at 12 noon, Luncheon and Remembrances 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life and Sharing Memories 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 511 E. STURGIS. ST. JOHNS, MICHIGAN. Memorial contributions may be made to Carol’s family for final expenses.
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The Family