- Date Of Birth: May 4, 1938
- Date Of Death: April 19, 2016
- State: Michigan
Born in Kalamazoo, Carolyn was the second daughter to Loren and Charlotte (Dickinson) Draper.
Preceded in death by her parents, her third husband Leonard DesVoignes, and her two brothers Larry and Gary, Carolyn is survived by her sister, Joan Ulmer; daughters Carrie Rose and Gina Irene; step-daughter Gloria Anne; sisters in-law Sally Draper and Jan Draper; four nieces: Lori and Shariann Draper; Kimberly (Daryl) Wallace; and, Victoria (Jason) Trepanier; two nephews, Brad Draper and Eric (Jessica) Ulmer; eight great nieces; one grandniece and one grandnephew, several first cousins, and several dear friends with special gratitude to Terri Alfred (benevolent neighbor), Mark Mazaleski for being “good looking,” and the serving staff at Steak and Shake on West Main who always greeted Carolyn warmly.
The family would also like to thank Dr. Thomas Dunne, Donna and Angel; at the Laurels of Galesburg, Mable, Brittany, Elvira, Yolanda “Yo-Yo” Margarita and others, also Ja Quinta, Ashley, Rachel, Nancy, Duane and David of Great Lakes Hospice. Carolyn loved a good joke, and when irony landed on her just right she’d say, “shoot.” A life vibrant as it was comedic and tragic, she traversed a political landscape barren to the mentally ill to find endearing friendship and love in Leonard DesVoignes.
Life is short, no matter how unending the nature of things can seem. With the evening light showing through the windows on the sixth floor of Evergreen North Apartments, the murmur of a game show’s laugh track in the background, her mother’s Bible on the side table and sitting in a favorite recliner is likely where she would most want to be right now. “Shoot,” she would say, if you ever wanted to pay her a visit. In lieu of flowers, hug someone.
