39 Comments
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Kristi Kasten's avatar

What a beautiful tribute to an amazing, expressive, and vibrant lady!

Michelle Collins Anderson's avatar

Thank you, Kristi. She was truly one of a kind! 💔

Shari Johnson's avatar

What a sweet tribute to your aunt. Goodbyes are so very hard, and life always seems too short!

Mary Suzanne Crockett's avatar

Oh to be the “fun aunt” like your INCREDIBLE life of the party aunt. Thank you for the privilege of knowing her through your beautiful tribute. I’m going to dance in my kitchen in her honor today. My heart goes out to you all as you miss her irreplaceable presence…though I believe a lot of her will live on in you.

Michelle Collins Anderson's avatar

Mary Suzanne, she would love the idea of a little kitchen dance in her honor. On our Danube cruise, she was out on the dance floor any night there was a DJ or band… earning her the nickname “Tiny Dancer” (which she loved!). ❤️

JPWeatherly-Cadzow's avatar

I'm so sorry for your loss of your Aunt Carlene. She was such an amazing human being. I loved her so much. I got to know her when I lived in St. Louis and was a part of the MoFA Fiber Arts group. She was such a lovely spirit, so generous, caring, and just down right funny!! Thank you for sharing. I'm so sorry I didn't get to see her or meet you over the last 14 years since I left St. Louis. Sending virtual hugs and lots of MoFA love. Jackie

Michelle Collins Anderson's avatar

Awww. So nice to hear your connection to my aunt, Jackie! She was amazing! ❤️

JPWeatherly-Cadzow's avatar

Sending you a virtual hug Michelle. So many of us loved Carlene.

Nancy JI Geib's avatar

This tribute helped complete the picture of Carlene’s life! Knowing your Aunt C the past 3+ years was such a pleasure. She was always so excited about her travels, her art shows, and most of all - her family! We felt that we had met all of you . . .

She was a strong woman and one of eight members of our Sisters of Solace group. A group we all joined after the death of our beloved husbands. During our twice monthly zoom meetings, she always had a smile and some giggles. We will all miss her greatly ❤️

Michelle Collins Anderson's avatar

Nancy, thank you! Aunt Carlene was truly special and her time with her SOS friends helped her immensely. She adored you all and had so much fun meeting you all in person in AZ! I wish you had gotten more time with her… we all do. 💔

Leigh Ann Moss's avatar

A beautiful tribute to a beautiful human! I’m heartbroken to lose this truly amazing friend. I met her after she retired from teaching, in her volunteer years, and I have always considered her a mentor — she was so very generous, always sharing her talent, her knowledge and her deep love for art and history and travel. She was warm and funny….. and that smile — that infectious smile. And that laugh. Heartfelt sympathy to all her nieces and nephews. She adored you all and I know her absence will leave a big hole in your lives. 🤍

Michelle Collins Anderson's avatar

Leigh Ann, the hole is unfathomable. But she brought such joy for so long. We are grateful for all of those years and I’m so glad you enjoyed her mentorship and friendship, too. ❤️

Jayne Perry's avatar

Thank you for sharing these precious words that truly capture all the fun and joy that defined Carlene! She's had a special place in my heart since the mid 70s. It sounds like I may be her only art student fail of her career, yet she never failed to cheer me on with my efforts! Ed and Carlene generously opened their home to me so I could finished my senior year at Lafayette when my family moved to another state. I will forever treasure in my heart those months. Though I was sorely homesick, they were so generous towards me and welcomed me beautifully! Those memories have been cherished and fondly reminisced all these years, that will continue! Her smile and laughter will forever resonate!

My prayers are with all your family in this time of sorrow and grief. May the Lord comfort your hearts with the peace of His presence.

Michelle Collins Anderson's avatar

Jayne, what an amazing story about my aunt and uncle! Not surprising about their generosity but I know that those they cared for they did so with such fierceness and loyalty, and I’m glad they were that kind of haven for you. ❤️

Judy Cobillas's avatar

Thank you Michelle for all of your kindness these past few weeks. I am deeply saddened by the loss of my friend and so grateful to have such wonderful memories.❤️

Michelle Collins Anderson's avatar

Judy, thank you for being such a loving, giving presence for my aunt these past weeks. ❤️ It helped all of us to have you around & help love her along her journey.

Steven William Langhorst's avatar

Very nice, Michelle. Your Aunt C would have loved hearing these words from you and her smile would have been bright and she would have giggled here and there. Carlene was a special delight in my life and I am grateful to have shared time with her and Ed. Thank you.

Michelle Collins Anderson's avatar

Thank you, Steven. That smile was high wattage! I’m so glad you were friends with my aunt & uncle. They truly shaped my life so profoundly. ❤️

Monica Allen's avatar

Such a beautiful reflection. I’m so sorry for your loss. Carlene was a very special person.

Mona Preuss's avatar

What a lovely tribute to your beloved aunt. May the sweet memories soften the grief.

Michelle Collins Anderson's avatar

Thank you, Mona. She was beloved. ❤️

Pamela Diane Gilbert-Snyder's avatar

♥️😥

Barbara Briggs's avatar

I am so sorry to hear about Carlene. I first knew her as Mrs. Fullerton when she taught me art in High School. Since then, our lives overlapped because of two mutual friends, and the mutual love of fibre art. You described her perfectly, and everyone who knows her will miss her. I would like to attend her life’s celebration. How will you publicize it? My email is bmbriggs0504@att.net

I would like to share the info with my Lafayette High School classmates, too. Thank you.

Michelle Collins Anderson's avatar

Hi Barbara! I’m so glad you knew & loved my aunt! ❤️ I’ll post on Facebook when we have a celebration of life planned, probably late spring or summer. And I’ll keep your email address, too. Thank you again for your kind words.

Elizabeth Marro's avatar

Carlene sounds like a very special person..I'm so sorry for your loss but so happy for you that you had iher in your life.

Michelle Collins Anderson's avatar

Thank you, Betsy. I’m so grateful to have had her in my life.

Clay Anderson's avatar

This is a lovely and touching and honest encapsulation of a short, brutal, beautiful journey out of this mortal coil for a remarkable st. Louisan who touched so many lives even with no children. I was so privileged to share it with my wife’s family. I love them dearly. So touching. Thank you for sharing with everybody, sweetie ❤️

Michelle Collins Anderson's avatar

Thank you, sweets. ❤️ And thank you for helping us help her along this difficult journey.

Lisa Walker's avatar

Dear Michelle,

What a profound loss. I'm sorry for the grief you are feeling. Even in describing her last days, your love for her shines through, as well as your talent for writing. God bless you, dear.

Michelle Collins Anderson's avatar

Thank you so much, Lisa. 💔