MCDOWELL: Carol

It is with profound sadness that the family of Carol McDowell share her passing on November 1, 2024. Surrounded by her loving family, Carol had a peaceful transition. She joins her parents Elva (2015) and Jack (2006) on his 107th heavenly birthday. Her business has been renamed Carol’s Celestial Cakes, now based in the kitchens of the great heavens above.

Carol was born on September 25th, 1941. She got her first baking lessons on her parents’ farm where she practiced her cooking skills on brother Fred (Ruth). It wasn’t long before she was able to tempt the sweet-tooth of beau Gerald McDowell, who she met at a church young people’s group. Though Gerald kidded that Carol flirted with him first, we’re convinced that once he sampled her baking he had eyes for nobody else! The sweethearts married on September 12, 1959, and shared 65 happy years together.

Initially living on the McDowell home farm, Carol focused her love and energy on her family, raising four children; Wayne, Ron, Kim and Patti. Carol always put the needs of others first; packing lunches for Gerald when he went to shear sheep, getting up early to get the children off to school, getting everyone to hockey, baton, piano and baseball. She gave back to the community as a UCW member of the Auburn United Church, fed “the men” during threshing season and baked endless numbers of pies for the Fowl Supper in Belgrave. For many years the happy couple enjoyed round and square dancing, and often camped at Point Farms with their friends. Carol modeled for her children the importance of being present for others, that memories are the most valuable treasure and that real wealth is not measured monetarily.

Carol always had an entrepreneurial spirit and was an Avon rep for many years before starting with Tupperware, where she did so well that she was an area manager with a car that was provided! Carol’s engaging personality and genuine interest in others ensured that she was successful in all that she did.

Over time, the children grew and started their own families; Wayne and Claire; Chatham, Ron & Alice; Belgrave, Kim and Allen (Walker); Belgrave and Patti and Pat (Cronin); Blyth. Carol and Gerald moved to Auburn and Carol expanded her horizons, working for many years at the Zehrs store, first in Wingham and later in Goderich. She enjoyed interacting with the customers and was highly regarded by the people she worked with. It was during this time that “Carol’s Cakes” began. Carol’s knack at knowing how to create the “perfect something sweet” quickly established her as “the” place to order cakes. Carol’s customers came from far and wide, she never wanted to turn anyone away, even when it meant she had several special orders on the same day. Carol’s birthday cakes, cupcakes, special occasion cakes and wedding cakes were all made with love, especially her famous carrot cake; the stuff that legends are made of!

No matter how busy Carol was, she always had time for her family. She took great pride in all nine of her grandchildren; Michelle (Ronnie), Paige (Elise), Johnathon (Tori), Michael (Kaitlyn), Caroline (Dennis), Adel (Jason), Greg (Bree), Adam (Emilie) and Lauren (Sjoerd). The family continues to grow, Carol has 10 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. Photographs of the family adorn the walls of her home, and their activities and achievements the focus of her attention and conversation. Carol played countless roles with her grandchildren over the years; “Grandma’s sleepaway Camp”, emergency baby-sitter, driver to and from events and appointments, teacher of the secrets of the kitchen. Every moment, every conversation, every little hug were woven into the beautiful relationships between the grandchildren and their very special Grandma. Carol showed each one that being “present” is the most valuable gift, that unconditional love transcends distance and that the ties that bind family together are a legacy to carry on into the future.

Sadly, Carol’s cancer diagnosis in 2023 made us realize that time is a limited commodity. Carol fought valiantly up to the day of her passing. We were blessed with the love of a wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother so special that she can’t really be quantified, or summarized in a few short paragraphs. Over decades the most significant cake Carol baked is the one that you can not see; she blended loyalty, forgiveness, hope, respect, understanding, patience, laughter and most of all love. Sprinkled the mix with hugs and kisses and distributed equally amongst the family. As long as we remember the recipe, the cake is never finished. At the end of life what really matters is not what we bought, but what we built; not what we got, but what we shared; not our competence but our character; and not our success but our significance. Carol lived a life of love, she lived a life that mattered. We love you, we miss you and we will carry you in our hearts forever.

The family would like to thank the team at the Verspteen Family Cancer Centre in London, Dr Treasurywala, the nurses and entire care team from Care Partners and the entire staff and volunteers at Huron Hospice Bender House for the excellent care and support provided during Carol’s journey. In lieu of flowers we ask that you consider donations to Huron Hospice Bender House. Online condolences can be left at www.mccallumpalla,ca A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 9th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the McDowell Family Farm, 84359 Hoover Line, Belgrave.