63, died April 30, 2006 peacefully at home after living with pancreatic cancer since January of 2005. She is survived by her dear husband of thirty-two years, George McManus, and five children, David (Darlene) Kleeschulte of Vernon, NJ, Daniel (Katharine) Kleeschulte of Unadilla, NY, Dawn Kleeschulte (Richard Warkentin) of Lansing, NY, Douglas (Anne) Kleeschulte of Kingston, NY and Brendan McManus, a Warwick resident, as well as thirteen wonderful grandchildren.
Carol, the second of seven children, was born October 2, 1942 in St. Louis, MO. She was pre-deceased by her parents, Doris and Wilbur Merten. Carolyn was extremely close to her siblings and their families throughout her life. They traveled together, shopped together, spent holidays together, ate and drank together, celebrated and cried together. Her sisters, Jean Marie (Terry) Moellering, Linda (Tom) Dieckhaus, Debbie (Tim) Barrett and Janice (Dave) Tennesen, along with her brothers, Don (Alene) Merten and Jerry (Nancy) Merten, and her many nieces and nephews were always a vital part of her life, in spite of the distance that separated them. Their generous and loving care of Carol and the time they were able to spend together made her last year “magical” even as she fought the dreadful disease that eventually claimed her life. Carol’s husband and children will always be grateful to them for “being there”.
Carol has been a Warwick resident since 1969. A devoted homemaker, Carol loved to cook, garden, take care of her family and home, and entertain. Her magnificent gardens bloomed throughout the seasons under her meticulous care and provided a serene oasis for her special feathered friends (and their furry dinner guests). She loved her home and took pride in maintaining it for the comfort of her family and the entertainment of friends. Delicious meals, good drink, and a well-laid table made for happy guests at her home, be they family, old friends, or new acquaintances. Holidays were always a special occasion for Carol; she enjoyed providing food and a gathering place for her entire family (all 24 of them!) and in doing so created memories that will outlast the sadness of her passing.
Once her children were grown, Carol’s focus shifted outside her home. She attended Orange County Community College where she proudly earned an Associates degree in English literature with a psychology minor in 1992. Travel was always one of Carol’s passions and she and her husband George, along with various family and friends, vacationed in many lovely, exotic places in the Caribbean and Europe. Chatham, MA on Cape Cod was Carol and George’s favorite getaway; they vacationed in the same quaint cottage, walked the ever- changing beaches and shared many memorable meals in this seaside village for over 20 years. In her early fifties, Carol discovered a love and talent for running. She was a regular on the regional race scene for over ten years, successfully competing in 5K, 10K, and half marathon races, and earning 79 medals or trophies in her age group until taking on her final great race with cancer.
Contributing to and maintaining the wonderful community of Warwick has always been a priority for Carol. A member of the Warwick Lions Cub for over ten years, including a two year term as president, Carol became a fixture on Main Street as she changed mint boxes, solicited race donations, rang the Salvation Army Bell and sold caramel apples at Apple Fest alongside her husband She chaired and co-chaired a variety of Lion’s Club committees that contributed to creating a safe and thriving community for the friends and families she loved. Carol’s pride and joy and “signature event” was The Warwick Lions Labor Day 5K which she co-chaired with her husband George for the past ten years. Under Carol’s careful direction, the race evolved into a much anticipated community and family event that raised thousands of dollars for the Lion’s Quest Program, a drug, alcohol, and character education curriculum funded by the Warwick Lion’s Club that is offered in the Warwick school system. The 2005 race took on special significance as Carol continued to work tirelessly toward making it a “great one” in spite of her battle with pancreatic cancer. TEAM CAROL was formed and the race director became a spokesperson and public resource for pancreatic cancer awareness. In addition to the funds raised to support the Lion’s Quest Program, over $10,000 was raised by TEAM CAROL to help combat pancreatic cancer. Carol’s dedication and love for the race and the community to which it belongs will be her legacy and gift to Warwick for years to come.
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In recognition of her outstanding community service and humanitarian work, Carol was awarded the Robert J Uplinger Distinguished Service Award in 2000. In 2005, she received a Melvin Jones Fellowship Award for dedicated humanitarian service, the most prestigious honor given by the Lions International Club.
While the past year was a most difficult and painful time for Carol and her family and friends, she thought of it as one of “the happiest, most magical years” of her life. Strained and broken relationships with friends and family were mended. She traveled to familiar places and discovered the wonders of Utah and Colorado with her five children. Her six siblings and most of her children and grandchildren attended her race in 2005. Carol had parties and bittersweet holidays full of food, fun and family. She was over whelmed by the outpouring support from her community, expressed in cards full of thoughts, prayers and stories people shared to keep her spirits raised. Specially prepared meals, cookies, flowers, phone calls, and stuffed animals were among the countless acts of kindness that inundated her home regularly. Carol lived her life to the fullest and her last year was a gift that culminated all that was wonderful and meaningful to her.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 3, 2006 from 2 –4 and 7 – 9 again Thursday May 4, 2006 from 9 – 10 AM at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick, NY.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11a.m. on Thursday May 4 at St. Stephen’s Church. Interment will follow at Warwick Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to one of the following organizations: Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550, or The Carol McManus Memorial Fund for Pancreatic Research, PO Box 476, Warwick, NY 10990-0476.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, Warwick. For further information and directions, please visit www.lsvpmemorialhome.com.