"Shortly after midnight on Father's Day, Carol Lynn McClowry passed away. It's all too appropriate that her final act in this world would be a gift to someone else, in this case her reunion with her husband Terry in the next one. She spent her whole life putting others ahead of herself and after battling her illness for so long, she's finally somewhere where she can take care of her loved ones once again.

The second eldest from a family of seven children, her motherly nature was apparent early on as she helped care for her siblings and watched over them as they grew into adulthood.  Although they all developed into capable, independent men and women whom she was very proud of, they knew their big sister Carol was always looking over their shoulder with love (sometimes the tough kind).

Carol Olsen met Terry McClowry at The New Place Lounge when he asked her to hold his beer while he played a game of pool. Through such inauspicious beginnings, an enduring romance blossomed between the Crestwood Charger cheerleader and the MSU Spartan football standout and they wed in 1979. Despite having been told by a physician that she could never have children, the next year Carol gave birth to the first child Terry (his father's namesake). Soon after, their second son, Matthew, was born, followed by sister Meghan and ultimately Mallory (named after the daughter from Family Ties .) Throughout their marriage, Carol and Terry travelled the world together, visiting places like Ireland, Germany, and Hawaii (their favorite), but they always felt that their greatest adventure was raising their kids together at their home, in Dearborn, Michigan.

Though motherhood was Carol's foremost calling in life, she took on many jobs, as a waitress at The Clock restaurant to a Clinique beauty consultant. As a people person, she found enjoyment in the bonds she formed with her companions in the workforce, but her primary motivation was always to help provide for her family, especially through times of hardship and misfortune. Carol took her marital vows of "through sickness and in health" and "for richer or for poorer" very seriously.

With a sense of accomplishment (but not without her fair share of worry), Carol watched her children thrive. Terry, much like his father,  became a star on the gridiron and an esteemed businessman. Matt's unique energy was channeled into stand-up comedy, as his mother both fretted and beamed as he performed all over the country. Meghan's grit and determination drove her to become a highly respected attorney. Mallory inherited her mother's empathetic character and chose to devote her life to nursing.

Early in 2013, tragedy struck as Terry fell ill. Through a long and valiant battle, Carol never left his side. She was heartbroken when he passed away that spring, taking part of her with him forever, along with her dreams of their future together. This traumatic event triggered her Parkinson's disease, which she suffered with for her remaining years.

Her solace during these hard times was watching her children marry and start families. She took in her sons and daughters in-law as if they were own and welcomed five beautiful grandchildren into the world. As she entered the final phase of her life, they provided her the ultimate in comfort and joy.

After years of arduous struggle with both her illness and grief over the loss of her husband, Carol passed away peacefully on June 20th, 2021. Her presence will be felt by everyone she touched for all the remaining years of their lives. Carol lives on both in spirit and in the physical sense through her children and now her grandchildren whom she loved so dearly. Any sorrow caused by her loss cannot hold a candle to the joy which she created, a joy we will all carry with us forever."

Loving mother of Terry (Margot), Matt (Patti), Meghan Woolery (Dan), and Mallory Wszola (Adam). Adoring grandmother to Laurel, Dan, Beau, Terry and Henry. Beloved sister of Sue Burton, Julie, Eddie (Gail), Claire Tesner (Steve), Bernie (Beth), and Nancy Delgreco (Tony). Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Memorial gathering at the Dearborn Chapel of Howe-Peterson Funeral Home on Thursday, June 24, 11am-7pm with an evening Scripture Service.

Memorial Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Friday, June 25, 11:00am. www.howepeterson.com