Carolyn Solomon

Carolyn Lee Solomon was confident, independent and strong-willed. She was also feisty, spunky and fun. The combination made her a dependable person and gave her a sparkling personality. She laughed easily and made friends readily. Never one to sit idle, Carolyn liked going to work as much as she enjoyed recreation, and she did it all for the ones she loved.

Carolyn was born to Richard and Ethel (Nagy) Moyle in Kalamazoo, Michigan on January 25, 1942. At the time, World War II dominated American life. As men went off to war and women were drawn into the workplace, the nation pulled together to make life as good as possible for the next generation.

Carolyn and her brother Harry grew up on a farm in Mattawan, the perfect setting for an animal lover like Carolyn. The family kept horses and, starting with her first horse Dotty, Carolyn rode them often. Over the course of her life, she cared for Pixie Sticks, Donny and White Foot and her dogs Fred the Alaskan Malamute, Mugsy the Shih Tzu and Tiger the Malti-Poo.

In addition to her studies at Mattawan public schools, Carolyn played piano in the concert band and bells in the marching band. Already before graduation, she had been dating a young man who had gone all the way through school with her. When she and Grant Solomon became serious about marriage, he promised a wedding as soon as he found a job. In April of 1961 he secured a job, and in June of ‘61 Carolyn and Grant were married. They became a family of four with the births of Rex and Susan. After 20 years of marriage, the relationship between Carolyn and Grant ended in divorce, but they remained friends as they parented their children.

In their life together, Carolyn and Grant had been part of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Mounted Division, in which she was a founding member of the women’s auxiliary. Given her love of horses, Carolyn was privileged to ride her horses in various parades with the Mounted Division.

In her career life, Carolyn worked administrative jobs, first in the record keeping department at Vicksburg Hospital and then as a secretary for Vicksburg Public Schools. After a time, she took a job in the incentive compensation department of Upjohn Company and held her position even after they sold to Pharmacia. She retired in the mid 1990s, after enjoying her jobs and the opportunity to stay busy and contribute to the work force.

Carolyn also knew how to relax, but that didn’t mean being sedentary. She was an avid golfer and a very good one. She was eager to play anyone and anywhere. She had a great group of girlfriends with whom she played and traveled—to the Masters in Augusta a few times—or just hung out. Her son Rex challenged her to many rounds of golf, but he could never beat his mom no matter how hard he tried.

For a period of time, Carolyn lived on West Lake in Portage and loved it. However, the snow and cold winters kept her off the golf courses in Michigan, so she packed up and moved to North Carolina. To be sure, she was closer to her daughter Susan, but she was also able to golf year round. When not on the links, she could most often be found playing bingo at the VFW Hall. As she got older, sportswoman Carolyn discovered her creative side. She took up painting and enjoyed the free expression of art.

When her health began to fail, Carolyn returned to the familiarity of home in Michigan. She passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2015 at Fairview Nursing Home in Centreville.

Carolyn is survived by her son Rex Solomon, her daughter Susan Solomon, her brother Harry Moyle, her nephews Nathan Moyle & Bradley Moyle and many other relatives.

A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday March 14 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Life Story Funeral Homes, Vicksburg; 409 S. Main Street (269-649-1697). Visit Carolyn’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory and sign the guest book. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.