Emily Carroll Obituary

Carroll, Emily "Lee" 83, died December 14, 2008, at Peterson Park Health Care Center in Chicago. Ms. Carroll was born January 11, 1925, in Thorpe, Wisconsin, to John and Catherine Szpara. One of eight children, she grew up on a dairy farm. She moved to Chicago in the mid-1940's and worked at Motorola Radio in support of the war efforts. She married James G. Carroll on August 12, 1947, and they had three children. They later divorced. Ms. Carroll worked at the U.S. Post Office at O'Hare Field for 21 years, where she received a variety of commendations and awards. She began as a distribution clerk and through the years was promoted to Personnel Manager and retired as a Mail Distribution Supervisor. While employed, she received in 1980 a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University. Ms. Carroll loved spending time with her grandchildren, especially taking walks with them. She also enjoyed volunteering her time in community services. She provided income tax assistance for the elderly for a number of years, helped to organize fund-raising events (such as walk-a-thons), and was involved in parent and church organizations to support her children's activities. She had always wanted to travel, and after retiring, she went to many sites in the United States, Europe, and Russia. She was very active until reaching the later stages of Alzheimer's Disease. She is survived by two sons, Jim Carroll of Chicago, and Tom Carroll of Taiwan, a daughter, Sharon Carroll-Nilson of Milton-Freewater, Oregon, five grandchildren, Max and Elizabeth Carroll of Chicago, Alex and Michael Nilson of Milton-Freewater, Oregon, and Patrick Hwung of DeKalb, Illinois, two sisters, Mary Stefan and Claire Jaski of Chicago, one brother, John Szpara of Lublin, Wisconsin, and numerous nieces and nephews. A family celebration of life is planned in the future. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sunshine Club at Peterson Park Health Care Center, 6141 N. Pulaski, Chicago, IL, 60646. Arrangements by: Olson Burke/Sullivan Funeral & Cremation Center, Chicago. Info: 773-774-3333.