Carol Coleman was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. A lover of all people, she lived her life selflessly giving to others over the years. She had an infectious laugh and always focused on the positives in life. Extremely active throughout her life, Carol never passed up an opportunity to travel, shop, visit the beach, attend a grandson’s sporting event or live performance. Her warm personality will surely be missed by her many friends and family.
The 1950s were the grand era of television and the silver screen, bringing American legends such as James Dean and Elvis’ rock and roll into living rooms worldwide. In the midst of this decade known as the baby boom, Walter and Jean (Thomson) Nicoll welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Carol Marie, into their loving arms on March 14, 1950, in Chesley. Joining her older siblings; Isabel, Georgina, and Murray, and later joined by her younger sibling, Bev, she brought great joy into the family home.
Growing up on Bruce County Rd. 11, Carol lived a typical childhood of the times. Later the family moved to Concession 2 and she attended S.S. #12 before completing high school at Chesley District High School. Always one to have an interest in hair, it was no surprise that after graduation she enrolled in beauty school in Kitchener. A hard worker, Carol enjoyed serving clients fresh from the classroom. Nothing brought her greater joy than sharing her love of hair with clients for many successful years. Carol kept a close-knit group of five friends from high school that had a very special bond with her throughout her life.
By the time she was twenty, she met, Keith Coleman, who would steal her heart forever! She and her friend, Frances Galbraith had returned home from school to the Galbraith residence. Keith was over visiting his friend, Terry, who was Frances’ brother, and the rest was history! Eager to spend the rest of their lives together, they joined in marriage on May 13, 1972, at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Chesley. The newlyweds moved into a trailer on Keith’s parent’s property for the first five years of their marriage. By 1977, they moved with their daughter, Krista, to 3rd Ave. S.W. Soon after their son, Kevin arrived in 1978.
Carol enjoyed her role as a mother and also worked part-time at Cassidy’s Hair Salon in Walkerton during these years. When the children were older, she began working for the Bluewater District School Board. Starting out as a custodian at both Chesley Public School and CDHS, Carol eventually worked in the cafeteria as well, where she loved getting to know the students. Remarkable to note, she also juggled cleaning at Heirloom as well as Triangle Discount to supplement the family’s income over the years. Her favourite job, however, were the years from 1996 through 2014 when she drove the school bus for the Wathkes. There simply was never a dull moment as she was always on the go!
Carol shared many special pastimes over the years. She absolutely was at home in her flower beds. A real natural when it came to gardening, she often spent hours outdoors. She and Keith both enjoyed travelling. Together they had traveled to both the west and the east coasts of Canada as well as Florida and England. Each year Carol enjoyed heading south to the Caribbean with the girls. A warm-weather lover, she loved pretty much any place that had a beach! Her favourite beach when she was at home, however, was Gobles Grove in Port Elgin. In addition to going to the beach with friends, she also enjoyed playing Euchre and Hearts! As long as there were people gathered together, Carol’s heart was content!
She and Keith built their dream home in 2002 on a beautiful four-acre lot on the northwest edge of Chesley. Here, they entertained their two grandsons, where requests for her homemade macaroni and cheese were commonplace! Carol loved those boys and cherished attending their sporting events over the years. She celebrated every milestone and wanted nothing more than to share in their happiness. When she wasn’t travelling or shopping or spending time with her family, Carol volunteered her time with the Chesley Horticultural Society and more recently helped with the Breakfast Club at Chesley District Community School. She modelled a lifetime of hard work, inner strength, and compassion toward others. There is no doubt that above all else, her optimistic approach to life as well as her sense of humour will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Sadly, Carol passed away suddenly at home, following a brief illness, on Thursday, July 18, 2019 in her 70th year.
Beloved wife of Keith. Loving mother of Krista Young of Hanover and Kevin of Tara. She will be dearly missed by her grandsons Curtis and Jaydon. Cherished sister of Isabel (Doug) Bell, Georgina Duff, Bev (Donna) Nicoll and sister-in-law Dianne Nicoll. Carol will be fondly remembered by Keith’s siblings, George (Helen) Coleman, Dorothy (Ed) Yates and sister-in-law Donna Walker. She was predeceased by her brother Murray Nicoll, brothers-in-law Larry Duff, Joe Coleman, Gordon Walker and her parents Walter and Jean (Thomson) Nicoll.
Private family services will be held with inurnment in Chesley Cemetery.
Memorial donations to the Chesley Hospital Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
