Carol D. Hummel
January 10, 1956 - August 19, 2011

"Another year has gone by. You would have been 63 yesterday. Time has diluted the acute pain of you "going home" but has not filled the hole left in my heart or others. Your boys seem to be managing life. It pains me not to be in better touch with all of them but have to accept communication has never been a strong suit. Mom is going to be 102 next month and wonders why she is still here on earth. Christmas is still very difficult for her. The snowman figure you gave her stands prominently next to her fiber optic tree and other items you lovingly bought her each year. Your second grandchild Cait arrived early last January and Ava is growing up to be very cute. I have been remiss at keeping in better touch with Andy and Rachel, for which I resolve to be better at this year. With Mel's advancing PD and surgeries in the last year and mom's needs, there never seems to be enough time for extras. Dave, Carol and family continue to lead fully blessed lives with many enjoyed activities. Remembering and missing you more each passing year. Love you always...your sister."

"Today is your 62nd birthday. You loved birthday celebrations. I miss you even more today and am sad you were not given the opportunity to grow older here on earth. You would have been so excited waiting for the birth of your 2nd granddaughter later this month. Mom is approaching 101 in February. All the boys are doing well and I'm thrilled I had the chance to reunite with Chris and Nick at the nieces' weddings in 2017. Celebrating your memory today, love you, your sister."

"Year number 6 today. Days and months have flown by but memories stand still. It was a beautiful summer day today, just like the one you left on. I remember when leaving Madison how beautiful the green rolling hills and countryside were...the terrain you loved and traversed so well. Your boys and their loved ones are doing well and finding their way through life. You would adore Ava, your first grandchild...she is most precious. Mom turned 100 and some family flew cross country to be at a party held in her honor. She is happily looking forward to reuniting with Dad, you and other loved ones. Your three nieces will all be married this year. One in January, September and November. You would have loved putting on your party dresses and jewelry. As always, thinking of you, missing you and holding you close in heart...your sister."

"Year number 5 today. Family and musician friends continue to hold you close in thought and conversation, especially this day and week. Many things have changed since you left...Andy and Rachel married and have a 7 month bundle of joy they named Ava Caroline who was due on your birthday. You would have loved being a grandmother. Nick has found his love in life, Alexandra, and will be married next month. Mom is still with us and moved to California to be near Mel and I. Life does, and has moved along, and you are dearly missed each and every day and year that passes. With love always, your sister... "

"Year number 4 today. Time goes by but vivid memories remain of the days as you were preparing to leave all who love you. Your theater and musical friends have reminisced throughout the week and your family is remembering you in their separate ways today. Always holding you close in heart today and forever missing you. With loving memories, your sister..."

"Already, another year has gone by, making it three since you left. We all remembered you in our separate ways throughout the day on the 19th and this anniversary week. Many white zinfandel toasts, memories of your musical talent, favorite songs and things you enjoyed were spoken of by those who love you and miss you. I hope you know there is still and always a hole in our hearts. Missing you now and always, with love, your sister..."

"Two long years have passed since saying goodbye. Thoughts bring tears as easily as if it were just yesterday. I think of you everyday and of the sustaining kindness, thoughts and deeds contributed by everyone during your illness and after. I miss you today and always, for what was and could have been. Love, your sister..."

"I worked with Carol at Madison Ballet, both in and out of the classroom and she was an absolute joy to have on our staff. Even though it's been nearly a year since her passing, I think of her often and of the wonderful music she played for our classes. I loved hearing the lively showtunes that were a staple of her repetoire and seeing her smile peeking over the piano. One of my favorite memories was of the night we all left the studio together, only to discover our cars had been iced over in a storm while we'd been in class. Carol's car was frozen so tightly shut that the only access was through the trunk. Lucky for Carol, one of our dancers was nimble enough to wriggle in from the trunk through to the driver's side and push the door open! We miss you here, Carol! I would love to have contact information for Carol's sister, who I talked with briefly following Carol's death. If anyone can pass it along, I'd appreciate it."

"Although I did not work extensively with Carol at Madison Ballet, every time she played for my classes there was so much joy in her music, and she always had an enthusiastic smile and kind word every class. She will be missed."

"I will miss her laugh, smile and hearing her voice the phone every day. We shared our day whether good or bad.I feel a giant void in my life. She was like a sister to me."