Carolyn Eileen Wildie

Sleeping in their trailer underneath a blanket of stars with her family all around her is where Carolyn Eileen Wildie truly loved to be. Along with her husband Roy, Eileen was the best grandparent ever, according to their daughters because from the moment they were born, their grandchildren were the greatest joys in her life. As a matter of fact, Eileen had a special place in her heart for all children, and her caring heart radiated to all those within her reach. Faith played an important role in Eileens life and it was this same faith that guided her every thought, word, and deed. Often called the Roaring Twenties, the 1920s were a time rich in culture and new experiences within America. Authors such as Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald were becoming household names while jazz music emanated from inside clubs from coast to coast. It was on March 5, 1920, that James and Blanche (Heaton) McCarthy were pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Carolyn Eileen, in Porter, Indiana. Carolyn, who always went by Eileen, was the second of eight children in the McCarthy family and with so many younger siblings, she often helped care for them in a variety of ways. This early experience helped shape within Eileen a love for children that would remain with her throughout her entire life. Originally from Thompsonville, Michigan, Eileens parents returned back home to Thompsonville with their family which is where Eileen spent the remaining of her formative years. These were the days of the Great Depression when families banded together to weather the storm and in the McCarthy family, they all helped out on the farm. Eileen loved reading as a young girl and every week she walked to the library, checked out seven books which she read in a week, and then she returned those only to check out seven more. All of her reading paid off because she graduated from high school a year early. Fate intervened one day when Eileen was visiting the beach with a friend, and the young beauties caught the attention of two young men. One of these young men was Clarence Roy Wildie, and he was immediately drawn to Eileen while Eileens friend was interested in his buddy. Although Eileen was initially reluctant, she soon found herself out on a double-date with young Roy. Her reluctance was soon a thing of the past, however, and after dating for two years, the couple was married in their hometown on April 12, 1941 having fallen deeply in love. The newlyweds soon moved to Grand Rapids where Roy found work at a bakery in order to support their family which quickly grew to include their daughter Diane in 1942. After Diane was born, Roy joined the Navy with a desire to preserve the freedoms we as Americans still enjoy today by serving in WWII. As an aviation metalsmith, he was blessed to never see any action overseas. When the war ended in 1945, Roy was reunited with his family which had grown while he was in the service with the birth of their son Sid in 1944. Then in 1950, their daughter Shelley completed the Wildie family. Eileen completely embraced her role as a mother, and caring for her family was her greatest joy. Eileens kind heart extended to numerous others as well - such as when she often made cinnamon rolls for the busload of teammates on her daughters gymnastics team. Eileen and Roy raised their family in a variety of homes throughout the years, but no matter where they lived, their home was plentiful with laughter and love. They always lived in East Muskegon where they were members of Fellowship Reformed Church. Eileen was very active within their church in both the Ladies Aid and the Couples Club. They also established many friendships within their church, often gathering with their friends for their Happy Hour Group for picnics or parties. Eileen was also active in the lives of her children serving as a Cub Scout leader and with the PTA Cooperative Extension. Eileen was also employed at Christian Home for the Aged for 10 years where she loved her work which consisted of cleaning and doing laundry. Some of the greatest memories that the Wildie family created together were during times spent camping, often at both Pioneer Park and Interlochen. Their adventures in camping began in tents, but then later moved to their travel trailer where they could enjoy a few more of the creature comforts. It was not a camping trip either without bunches of bananas that the kids ate on the trip since their fathers mantra was no crumbs! What began as a tradition with their own children grew to become a tradition with their grandchildren as well since throughout the years, Eileen and Roy took them along for camping adventures of their own. After Roy retired, Eileen and Roy began wintering in both Texas and Florida for a time. They discovered, however, that they really missed their grandchildren while they were gone, so from that point on, they remained in Michigan during the winters. Their grandchildren were just so important to them and they were very involved in their lives whether they were babysitting or just spending time together. The holidays were Eileens favorite time of year as she knew this was a time when her whole family would gather together once again. Baking and cooking for her family was one of Eileens greatest pleasures. Eileen Wildie was an extraordinary woman who was always thinking of others, and was also quite witty with a fabulous sense of humor. She enjoyed being social with her friends, serving in her church, and fulfilling her duties at her job, but her most treasured times were spent with her entire family joined together. Throughout her life that was filled with both easy and hard times, Eileen masterfully created a colorful mosaic of memories that have now become such priceless gifts to those she leaves behind. Carolyn E. Wildie died Monday, September 28, 2009. Eileens family includes her son, Sid (Colleen) Wildie of TX; daughters, Diane (Ted) Lapinski of Muskegon, Shelley (Reg) Smith of Montague; grandchildren, Adam Wildie, Kari (Scott) Hadley, Kelly (Ken) Grant, Tracey (Kathy) Robertson, Pete (Cindi) Smith, Mandie (BJ) Lee; great grandchildren, Kyle, Kandas & Kainan Grant, Sydney & Emma Thompson, Ronica & Wildie Ann Smith, Amy (Jake) Summerskill, Rachel & Erica Good; great-great grandchildren, Savannah & Aidan Summerskill; brothers, Alan (Gladys) McCarthy, Asa (Deb) McCarthy; sisters, Nancy Anderson, Sheila (Cliff) MacGirr; stepbrother, Richard (Nancy) McCarthy; stepsister, Ruth (Ed) Laffleur; brother-in-law, Gerald Trudell; sister-in-law, Alice McCarthy; several nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clarence in 2007; sister, Jane Trudell; brothers, Bruce & James McCarthy. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 5, 2009, 3:00 p.m. at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Pastor Ron Rands officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Visit with Eileens family and friends on Monday, 2-3 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Homes Muskegon location Muskegon, MI. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution to the Alzheimers Association.