Carol Ann Spillard Zadra
Carol Ann Spillard Zadra died on April 20, 2017 at the age of 81. Carol was born in Detroit, Michigan on December 26, 1935. She is survived by her husband, Lee, two daughters, JoAnne Zadra Heyer (Christopher) and Suzanne Zadra Schroeder (Michael), four grandchildren, Abby, Zack, Leah and Aliza, her sister, T.J. Blondin (Marv) and sister in law, Jan Kalish.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Reta Strong Spillard and Leroy Spillard, and brother, Robert Spillard.
Carol received degrees in education from University of Detroit- Mercy and University of Michigan graduate school. She taught grade school in Iowa, Illinois and Michigan. Carol was also a registered nurse and worked in surgical, emergency and industrial areas of medicine and published bacterial research and educational articles.
As a lover of music and art, Carol was a classical pianist in her youth and a member of the Michigan musical society chorale as an adult. She filled her family’s homes with her oil paintings of landscapes and still life. She enjoyed traveling Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean and the United States. Carol found peace and happiness in the outdoors and time spent at the family cottage, “Camelot”.
Carol enjoyed laughter and excitement which she showed by her enthusiasm at Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations and University of Michigan football games. She was a supportive wife, mom and grandmother, often surprising her loved ones with a gift, token or treat to show her love; it brought her great joy to be with her family. She was an advocate for the under-privileged and poor, an avid Democrat and a feminist before feminism was in vogue.
Carol will be remembered for her vibrant red hair, beautiful smile and laughter.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 10 at 1:00pm at The Meadows of Wildwood Clubhouse, 111 Meadows of Wildwood Blvd Wildwood, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society can be made by clicking this link http://events.lls.org/pages/gat/ZadraC.
Please leave your condolences and memories below.
Aunt Carol was a force of life! She made everyone around her giggle with her observations. I will miss her spirit and her spunk! She and her brother are smiling down in us. Rest In Peace dear Aunt Carol. You will be missed.
What a beautiful tribute to a truly lovely woman. May her vibrant smile shine on as she dances on above:)
The Donlin Family
Carol will be missed by everyone. My late husband, Carol’s brother,and I had some great times together. It is nice to know that they are once again together. Peace be with you Carol.
Such a beautiful tribute to a truly beautiful woman. I admire her deep love for her family. And consider it a blessing that I knew her.
I worked with Carol many years ago at Dow. She was the spunkiest person I worked with. I was privileged to know her as a co-worker and a friend. Rest In Peace dear Carol.
Her eyes always twinkled when I was going or returning from some adventure with Lee. The paintings I last saw in TC reflected her quiet joy in all things.
Carol always had such energy and zest for life. She definitely had a sparkle that will live on in all who knew her. I had the pleasure to take care of Carol and admire her perseverance. She certainly lived every day of her life and will be missed. My heart goes out to Lee, her girls and her family.
Becky
Memories of love and friendship are treasures I will carry with me always of you Carol. My special birthday twin. And all the paintings you gave me. You were such a great friend and you will be missed. You are at peace and free of pain. May the angels walk with you always. Peace.
To the whole Zadra family……… I am so sorry to hear about Carol. Altho’ I haven’t seen her for such a long time I have good memories of her. One of my best memories is of the night she and I delivered birthday party invitations for Jo and Ann’s 16th birthday party. We came upon a couple of boys ripping off a street sign, scared them enough that they dropped it and then we delivered it to the police station….later thinking WE might have had a problem if we’d been stopped with it in our car!
Carol was a very strong person who met her challenges well. Only a barrier of time separates her from us but that doesn’t keep us from missing her in the meantime……… Heartfelt sympathy and love to you all.