Visiting Forest Lawn
July 5, 2010 was the 62nd anniversary of my aunt Carole's tragic death so I took my children to visit her grave. It had been a long time since I had been at the beautiful, majestic Forest Lawn. I must say it was more breathtaking then I remember it being. Not only was it the anniversary of Carole's death but a few days later, July 8, was my grandma Dorothy's birthday (she was Carole's big sister). I felt that I was there for them both and at the same time taking all the fans who are like family with me carrying you all in my heart as I went to go visit. It was also my friend Mark's birthday on July 5th and he wanted flowers for her from him. That was his present to himself and then of course we got other flowers and that was for everyone else - didn't want to leave anyone behind.
Our beautiful aunt Carole
Trevar, Bella, and Shailynn at the cemetery
As we got to the grave we were searching a little too hard and I was calling my friend Liz in a panic. Then finally my son finds her. I sat on the grass and just breathed taking in the site below from her grave stone. Such peace and I truly believed she was right there with me. My children and I set up the flowers and posed by Carole. My youngest daughter Bella said to me "Mom this is like a retreat". Yes, I agreed with that. I didn't think about what happened to her that day when she passed away but yet I was thankful for the woman she was and that I had her to look up to. For all the service she gave to the men who were in war and she brought a piece of home with her. For her love of others that people called different and her spirit of bubbly she carried with her and those who had a dark cloud she was the ray of sunshine.
My grandma Dorothy, mom Sharon, aunt Diane, and uncle Bill at her grave
Aunt Carole's grave in 1949
I am so grateful I have this woman of strength and love and wisdom of things beyond her years in my family and to know that I'm passing to my children and to the extended family - the fans. We went to the church up the hill (called the Church of the Recessional) and as we walked there I had the image of 30,000 people standing outside to get a glance of her casket. The devotion they had for Carole all wanting to pay respects to her. We all know she loved England and this church was built like one in Sussex, England and that it was perfect for her. The trees, the structure of the the church, the view from there - it was all Carole. My children took it all in. We read all the history and the "Wishing Spot" where there is a court with a child there. It was fun for the kids.
The crowd at her funeral
Shailynn, Bella, and Trevar at the church
There was this saying there that made me think of Carole "Thy hand in mine, this ring doth bind, my heart to thine". Here is the reason...I feel like I have put together the website and that all of you have come together. We are all hand in hand, we have created this circle that symbolizes the ring and in that we are bonded through Carole and in that we have given our hearts to Carole in one way or another. She was always wanting and looking for a deep passionate love and I feel she has gotten it through her family and her extended family (you the fans). When I read this I thought of her. How she loved romance and sayings that were short and sweet and my first reaction was what I explained. It was a peaceful, insightful and loving day. And I cant wait to go back there again to take in all she has for me to see!
My grandma Dorothy, mom Sharon, and great-grandma Clara at Forest Lawn
Aunt Carole's grave today
My aunt Carole was buried in a mahogany coffin covered in flowers. She was wearing a simple blue dress with orchids pinned on and the cross she always wore for luck. She looked so peaceful that the children at the funeral thought she was sleeping. The epitaph on her grave was written by my grandma Dorothy...To our beloved Carole whose love, graciousness, and kindness touched us all - who will always be with us in the beauties of this earth until we meet again. My grandmother later said "Carole doesn't seem dead to us. She isn't. She is in everything we see. She was so lovely and people as fine as she do not completely die. They live on in the lives of the people they have touched and influenced and helped." I believe that and I know that our family and Carole's fans will always remember her.
~ Written by Tammy Powell, Carole's great-niece
Carole's fan Ashley Edith Stewart visiting her in 2010
Carole's fan Annie at her grave in 2009
Facts About Carole / Myths About Carole / Young Carole / Our Family Tree / Carole's Great Love / Carole - The Patriot / Carole's War Photos /
Pictures of Carole / Carole's Jewelry Collection / Inside Carole's Closet / Memorabilia / Sharon's Memories Of Carole / Carole and Her Sister /
Carole and Her Mother / Remembering Diane Carole / Carole's "Children" / Was Carole Murdered? / Visiting Forest Lawn / The Fans /
Watch Carole's Movies / Carole On The Radio / Magazine Articles / The Family Today / Links, Books, and More / Homepage
