In loving memory of

Carol H. Warren
October 27, 1941 - September 16, 2017

Carol Dean Hyde Warren, our beloved Mother, Sister, Friend, Confidante and Mentor, left this world on Sep. 16 to be in a better place. She passed away from complications of pneumonia, after gallantly fighting multiple sclerosis for 45 years. She was born October 27, 1941, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and graduated from Herschel School (Cape Town) in 1958. Her family moved to the US in 1960, and she attended Cornell graduating in 1963.
She married Russell Earl Warren in 1963, and they raised a family in Englewood, FL, where Earl set up his law practice. Despite progressive MS, she made daily trips outdoors on her own, to a front-yard meditative oasis her kids had created for her under sprawling branches of an oak tree. What Carol was not able to do physically she made up for a hundred-fold metaphysically. She had regular recurrent visits with friends and family throughout each year and with the help of caregivers and dear friend Judy through decades of life, she was able to remain in her home until the end. She was a magical being who brightened the day for all. If you visited Carol when you were feeling low, you would be happy and smiling by the time you left. This was her gift, and through all of her struggles and hardships she NEVER complained. She was a great gift to the world. She didn't want pity; she truly wanted to do what she could to make others' lives better and that is exactly what she did.
She leaves behind her five children and their families: Susan (Janzen) of Boise ID, Alicie Warren of Miami FL, Denese (Horvat) and Pat (Wilson) of Santa Rosa CA, and Stephen Pender of Rockwell, NC; her sister Marilyn Pennington in Walton NY; her cousin Sally Stretch in Durban, South Africa; long-time caregiver and friend Judy Watts; and an abundance of family, friends and loved ones both in the US, South Africa and around the world.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Disability Rights Florida www.disabilityrightsflorida.org
A celebration of life will be held at Lemon Bay Funeral Home October 25, 2017 with a gathering of family and friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. You may express your condolences to the family at lemonbayfh.com

Tributes

Sabrina Goodwin wrote on Oct 25, 2017:

"Carol was one of the greatest people I have ever met...she gave me the strength to carry on in life and become the woman I am today..I thank her and love her with all my heart"

Phoebe Woollam wrote on Oct 25, 2017:

"I want you all to know what an incredible mother you had. I have known her since we were both twelve when she was at school at Herschel in Cape Town. She was always known to all of us as Jekyll and in the midst of all our adolescent dramas she was calm, kind, charitable, cheerful, considerate and generous. She was so special and so GOOD. I had been writing to her since re-establishing contact through Herschel and have had such wonderful emails from her, full of humour and courage. Since she became so disabled I never heard her complain once. Just before the Hurricane struck I emailed her to say "stay safe" and she replied as always, "We'll be fine. It always blows itself out by the time it gets up to us". We started to worry when we didn't hear anything and had no answers to our emails. This brings you all so much love and much, much sympathy. You have lost a wonderful, wonderful mother and we have lost an amazing friend. With love to you all, Phoebe Woollam"

Brenda (Bradford) Ward wrote on Oct 24, 2017:

"My first visits with Carol were at her mother's invitation. As Carol and I addressed the world's problems, using puns wherever possible, Dean occasionally dozed. Carol's love of the English language and her impatience with its abuse were among the varied interests we shared. Her college days tale, when she boasted that her Tarzan-inspired African home among the apes had vines at both the front and the rear doors says much about her. Her beautifully written and compelling memoir recounts an exceptional person's life and family. It is said that if we could change the life God gives us, we only could make it worse. The great grace, love, and humor with which Carol embraced hers is a lasting blessing to those fortunate enough to have known and loved her. Brenda (Bradford) Ward "

David Hunt wrote on Oct 18, 2017:

"Caroldean, if you're listening I'm certain you would approve of me saying, "Zowie, Watta Babe! - - - in that picture." I can see your twinklie eyes and your warm smile, in response, all the way here today in North Carolina. Carol, you'll go down in History as Hero to everybody who's anybody - - by my count. I've asked myself a million times, or less, how the Heck you did almost Miraculous Things raising a house full of Wild Little People while any dozen of Normals would've run screaming out the door? Carol, I was such a slug to not come and see you more. But I know you're not into regrets. I know you would say some kind, loving words letting me off the hook. Thanks. You are The Teacher of Love. None of us will ever know Another who affects our life in a more profound way. Even though we don't see you today, you are as close in heart as the left hand is related to the right. And yes, as you were yesterday, you are today and will be tomorrow, you would remind us that "time" is all the same, it's all right now. Well Kid, you're not going to be riding again as you said you wanted, so we might have your boots gilded afterall. To your Family, I am forever indebted for knowing You. With Love, Dave "

Amanda Heystek wrote on Oct 18, 2017:

"For Carol's family, I offer my sincerest condolences for your loss. It's not every day that we get to see the faces of the clients and families that we help and it always moves me when we do. Especially here to see all of her family with her through the years. Our mantra is to keep people at home where they want to be, for their own comfort as well as for the family, regardless of disability or one's stage in life.It was an honor to be Carol's advocate and I'm grateful her family trusted us with her case. Sincerely, Amanda Heystek, on behalf of Disability Rights Florida"

Laura Soule wrote on Oct 14, 2017:

"Carol was the person who told me about the tv show, Doc Martin. It came on tonight and I immediately thought of her, her smile, and how much fun she had describing the doc and other characters. Her playful spirit will be missed but not forgotten. Please accept my sincere condolences and sympathy. I hope your happy memories bring comfort. Laura Soule"

Jane soule wrote on Oct 14, 2017:

"I'm very sorry to hear this. All my thoughts and prayers to all of you. I had the privilege of meeting with Carol a few times and I don't think I've met a stronger more brilliant woman. God brought home one of his angels. Sincerely, jane soule"