Caroline Halpin

September 4th, 1915 - November 9th, 2009

Caroline's Memory Wall

We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Caroline here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.

We, my sons and I, have so many memories of Carol. From the time they were brought into this world, they were loved by their Aunt Carol, Uncle Mal, Genie, Joe and Carol Ann. Carol was an intelligent, beautiful, with a delightful sense of humor and still had wonderful handwriting (I saved the last birthday card Carol sent to me and will always cherish it). Unfortunately, Chuck, Jean and I will not be able to attend Carol's Memorial Mass at St. Basil's, we are leaving for AZ on Thursday - my sister's husband (63) passed away unexpectly on Nov. 12th.

Lou Ducher

I am the daughter of Joseph and Irene Gryzwac and niece to Caroline. I unfortunately never had the opportunity to get to know Aunt Caroline, but wish I had. For the stories told of younger years, Aunt Caroline was a very loving lady with a lot of class. My family and I will be planning on attending the memorial in the summer in South Haven. Funny we visit their every other summer with the kids and had NO IDEA family was so close by. PLEASE email me and let me know more informaton on the summer memorial, I would like to attend. You can also call me if you wish @ (419) 868 - 6812, I am ten minutes from the border of Michigan, in Toledo, OH.
My deepest sympathy and prayers are sent to you and your families.

Shirley Dewart & family

In loving memory of my mother.

MY MOM - CAROLINE JOSEPHINE HALPIN
She was so beautiful as a young girl Caroline could have been a movie star if that were her ambition. She clipped the high society debutante pictures and articles from The Detroit News as a teenager during the Great Depression and she must have dreamed of such a life. From a family of 12 children, I am sure she fantasized such a romantic existance.
But ultimately what was most important to her was to be a married woman and mother. She often said, "I couldn't wait until I had a baby."
Throughout her life however, she must have held onto a little part of her earlier dreams because she always dressed smartly and looked as though she came straight out of the pages of high-society.
By the time Caroline was 25, she had three children, Genie, Joe and Carol Ann. She was a wonderful homemaker and mother keeping a spotless home and clean and tidy kids (unless they were in the "caves" they had dug next door to their home on Alameda Avenue). Her lemon meringue pie was wonderful!
Caroline's son, Joseph Carl Dubeck, died in a tragic automobile accident in 1969 and Caroline suffered for years saying that a parent should not survive their children.
But life did go on for Caroline and her husband, Malcomb and in 1981 they retired to Naples, Florida. She continued as an immaculate housekeeper but vacuuming around a "retired" husband proved to be exceptionally challenging and Caroline choose to go back to work, saying, "I married him for better or for worse, BUT NOT FOR LUNCH."
That decision to go back to work brought Caroline 20 of the happiest years of her life. She was hired by DeVoe Cadillac of Naples, Florida and remained with them until she "retired" again at age 88. That was the same year she decided she better give up golfing as well because the greens were getting just a mite bit slippery for her to manage.
Caroline loved the DeVoe family and they and all of their employees loved Caroline. Hired as a receptionist, Caroline's wonderful abilities were noticed by Mr. DeVoe and she was asked to manage the DeVoe Scholarship Fund for low interest student loans, and later the Pre-paid College Scholarship Program, giving substantial grants to four year Florida State schools.
Caroline attended graduation ceremonies around Collier County (Florida) High Schools presenting coveted DeVoe Scholarships to deserving students. Appearing on stage, she would proudly give out the rewards as the DeVoe Automotive Group Scholarship Chairwoman.
Caroline loved to golf and until she was 88 years old usually golfed at least once a week on the Ladies League and more often if possible in scrambles or various Collier County ladies invitationals. She enjoyed the luncheons and being competitive, always hoped to bring home the free balls for having the "least putts."
Caroline also loved to dance at weddings and parties. When she was younger, it wasn't unusual to see her on the dance floor, one dance right after another. She even danced the polka at age 90 at the Henderson Senior Center in Nevada.
When Caroline did finally retire again at age 88, she decided to spend her summers at her daughter's home in South Haven, Michigan often sitting on the deck overlooking the Big Lake. She would greet Genie & Dick's friends and the friends respectfully made her the center of attention which she so loved and deserved.
Caroline often traveled to Nevada to visit daughter Carol Ann. Oh how she loved those penny slots. Carol would drive her to Phoenix to see granddaughter, Julie, or to California to see grandson, Michael. Daughter Carol took her to Palm Springs once where she received spa treatments at the famous Spa Resort and later was given a tour of Johnny Carson's sidekick, Ed McMahon's jet plane. What a thrill that was for her.
Caroline traveled by plane between Florida and Michigan and Nevada until she was 93, often alone, but later with a daughter as companion.
Survived by her daughter's, Geni

As a grandson there is alot of memories of Grandma. The Thanksgiving dinners in Lake Orion to the Christmas at Genies you could always find Grandma in the kitchen. One thing she made alot of was the Perogis and pies.
One of the funniest times I do remember was a trip to Florida. Every year Grandma and Grandpa would take the 5 grand kids to Florida. This particular trip the grandkids ranged from 8-13 ( around there). Like clockwork we always stayed at a Howard Johnsons ( Grandpas Choice). Anyhow my cousin Michael and I bought some cigarette loads at a magic shop. Cigarette loads are harmless but can blow up a cigarettes. Anyhow my grandfater smoked cigars. My cousin and I loaded up grandpas cigar with a bunch of cigarette loads ( grandma knew what we did) . Anyhow everything was quiet and all of a sudden BOOM, and Boom again. The first one was the cigar blowing up the 2nd was grandpa falling off the bed after it happend. Grandpa was not to happy and was looking for the guilty party. Grandma came to our rescue. Grandma was laffing so hard when Grandpa fell off the bed and trying to hold Grandpa back from catching us. Still I can see Grandma holding onto Grandpas legs gasping for air because how hard she was laffing. Grandpa was standing there with his cigar hanging from his mouth shredded and tobacco all over his shirt. The end result is Grandma saved the day and two Grandkids.I think grandma took us down to cafe to get some ice cream while grandpa cooled off. Video cameras did not exsist then but that would of been a good one to catch on film.

RIP Grandma

Love Mark

Caroline Halpin

Caroline's Memory Wall

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