Date of Birth
Oct 18,1947
Date of Death
Nov 11,2007
CAROL S. GILMORE, Age sixty, of Sycamore, IL, passed away peacefully at her home Sunday afternoon, November 11, 2007. For twenty-eight years, Carol battled breast cancer by living every single moment of her life to the fullest and by sharing that vibrant, abundant life with everyone she met. It has been said that some people leave foot prints in your life and you are never the same. If you knew Carol, you bear "diamond-dusted footprints" that will sparkle forever in the sands of your life-time. BORN / EARLY YEARSCarol was born October 18, 1947 in Geneva, IL, the daughter of Clifford and Ruth (Burton) Johnson. She grew up in Maple Park, IL and graduated from Kaneland High School where she met Dan Gilmore in her freshman year. That high-school romance would bloom into matrimony but not before Carol achieved her ambition of becoming a beautician. She attended beauty school in Elgin where she became both a certified beautician and instructor. MARRIAGE & FAMILYOn September 2, 1967 she and Dan were wed and their love story continued for forty amazing years. They made their home in Elgin where they began their family and Carol began providing day-care that included being "mom" to many other children as well. Carol went on to work for the Elgin YMCA for a time and later enjoyed working as receptionist for the Randall Road Veterinary Clinic. There too, Carol the "mom", cajoled and comforted pets as well as their owners. In 1999, she went to work for her son, Kevin at C&D Auto-Body in Elburn and though she might deny it, she was everyone’s "mom" and best friend. People didn’t come just for car repair, they came for "cardiac rehab" as they stayed to visit with Carol. Always positive, always caring and inspirational, the same spirit that beat cancer helped everyone beat the "blues" on a bad day. In her treasure chest of friends there were many "chosen families" of best friends who remained together through the years. These women met weekly for breakfast, went to Mexico together; went to Canada fishing together and wove the threads of their lives and families in a strong and beautiful fabric that held through many triumphs and tragedies. That same sense of family grew among Carol’s Bridge friends, those she met through support groups and the oncology center and in many other places. The joy of Carol’s life was her grandchildren. She was the consummate "sports grandma", "shopping grandma" and all around "I’m-with-you" grandma. Carol made birthdays, anniversaries and every holiday a production of grand and glorious proportions. She was one who truly kept both the spirit of Christmas the whole year through. From Wednesday lunch with her dad to special times with her husband and children, unconditional love was a two-way street as they filled each other’s cup with love. SURVIVORS In addition to her husband, Dan, she is survived by two children:Kevin (Tonya) Gilmore of DeKalb, IL andMichelle (John Douglas) Gilmore of Rochelle, IL;Four Grandchildren : Kevin: Tyler (2),Michelle: Jessica (13), C.J. (11) and Jerome (9) ;Her father, Cliff Johnson of DeKalb, One brother: Roger (Kathie) Johnson of Scottsdale, AZOne niece and nephew: Mark (Alicia Barber) Johnson of Reno, NV and Kristi (Beau) Bradley of Atlanta, GA, (as well as their children: Avery and Adrienne )Her mother-in-law Dorothy Gilmore, Elburn. Three Sisters-in-law: Sandra (Paul) Beyer,Mary Gilmore and Kathy (Michael) Carne all of Elburn, As well as their families;And her special Australian Shepherd, "Toby".In addition she leaves a family of dear friends whose loving care made Carol’s journey and her family’s days and nights easier and better in countless little ways. PRECEDED She joins now her mother Ruth and her grandparents, Edward and Bessie Johnson.as well as her father-in-law, Samuel Gilmore who preceded her in death.MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in Carol’s name to benefit Cancer Research and other favorite charities. Memorials checks may be made to the Carol Gilmore Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through her obituary at www.conleycare.com.
A Memorial Visitation will be held Saturday, Nov. 17, 2007 from 1pm - 5pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. A Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be held Sunday, November 18, 2007 at 1pm at the funeral home.
Private family cremation committal services will be held later.