Dorothy A. Carson

Never conforming to others, Dorothy Carson lived life according to who she was as a woman, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was true to herself and lovingly shared her love of life, faith and talents with those around her. Caring in many ways, her ever present and beautiful smile could brighten even the gloomiest of days. With much to remember, she will be fondly missed and leaves many treasured memories behind for those she loved to cherish.

Dorothy’s story began in the year 1925 as a sense of optimism filled the air. Charlie Chaplin flicks and Babe Ruth baseball was all the rage while the Roaring Twenties introduced the Charleston and the infamous flapper. Prohibition was in full force, and it was also the year when Walter P. Chrysler founded his auto firm. America was certainly experiencing a time of rapid growth and in the city of Highland Park, Michigan, Frank and Grace (Miller) Tasche were experiencing a time of growth in their family as well. It was in that year on February 27 when they lovingly welcomed the birth of Dorothy into their loving arms.

The youngest child in the Tasche home, Dorothy joined her older sister, Margaret while her mother looked after them as homemaker. Dorothy’s father supported his wife and daughters with his work at the Detroit National Bank, and made a good home for his family. Raised during her early years in the Highland Park area, Dorothy became an avid Detroit Tigers fan at an early age. As a family of faith, she also sang in their church choir as a youngster and enjoyed reading. Talented in many respects, Dorothy learned to play the piano as a child and was a very good artist, too. She loved sketching and painting, and her love for the arts continued throughout her life.

Having attended Highland Park Public Schools, Dorothy made friends easily. She was an outgoing gal and was well liked by many. She graduated from high school in 1943 and went on to attend the Rhode Island School of Design to pursue a degree in Interior Design. She excelled in this area and after obtaining her degree, she settled in Detroit, Michigan where she acquired a job with the J.L. Hudson Company. For the following ten years she worked as the buyer of furniture and lamps for the company. Equipped with a strong work ethic, Dorothy was dedicated to her position. An exciting time in her life, her job afforded the opportunity for travel, even though her career often times required long hours.

Exciting times were also in store for Dorothy when she began attending Detroit First Baptist Church. She was introduced to Averill Carson by mutual friends, but little did she know that Averill, the minister at her new church home, would one day become her husband. On Christmas Day in 1956 Averill proposed. They were engaged for a time and on May 11 of 1957 they were blessed as they exchanged vows of marriage. With faith as the center of their lives, they enjoyed much together. They particularly loved watching baseball and football. Before long their union was also blessed with children. Kathryn was their firstborn, followed by Richard, and Margaret completed their family.

A wonderful mother, Dorothy made a good home for her family and served her role as a pastor’s wife well. Although independent in nature, she was true to herself and never conformed to what others thought she should be. She loved to entertain and cook, but especially enjoyed cooking during the holidays. Many lasting memories were shared over the years together as a family. As a very loving and caring mother, Dorothy also knew her children would one day benefit from her strict ways. When the children were young, family vacations were usually spent traveling to Philadelphia to visit relatives.

With her love for the arts, Dorothy was a great supporter of the many endeavors within the art community. She loved going to the theater with Averill and together they enjoyed attending many dances. As a family they also traveled and moved whenever Averill was assigned to pastor at various churches throughout the country. They lived in New Jersey, Minnesota, and DeWitt, Michigan. He served as pastor of a church in St. Johns, Michigan and remained there until the time of his death in 1977. Although his death was a difficult time for Dorothy, her spirit and faith remained strong. Independent and girded with her strong work ethic, she returned to the work force in order to support her family. She eventually began working at the Clinton County Clerk's office, retiring in 1995 after 15 years of service there.

Dorothy was a very active member of First Congregational Church in St. Johns where she enjoyed singing in the choir until hearing difficulties forced her to stop. When blessed with grandchildren, she loved spending time with them and enjoyed watching them grow. One of the greatest things about Dorothy was the fact that she never ceased having a beautiful smile on her face which could light up a room. Through her independent nature and perhaps career earlier in life, Dorothy pretty much lived life the way she wanted and didn’t conform to others. She was considered a modern day woman and never did anything just because people thought she should. She kept herself busy and was always on the go with friends, activities at church or through volunteer efforts at Clinton Memorial Hospital and at the Baby Pantry. Along with her other talents, she was also gifted when it came to needlepoint and sewing. Over the years she acquired a penchant for collecting snowmen, many of which were given as gifts, and she absolutely loved cats.

At the age of 85, Dorothy A. (Tasche) Carson died on Sunday, November 28, 2010. She is survived by her son, Richard C. (Shari) Carson of East Lansing; son-in-law, William S. Trump of California; grandchildren: Hannah Carson, R.J. Carson, Sarah Trump, Charles Trump, Kirk Whitney and Clint Whitney. In addition to her husband Averill, she was also preceded in death by her sister, Margaret J. Mason and two daughters, Margaret J. Whitney and Kathryn A. Trump.

A Memorial Service for Dorothy will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2011, 11:00 AM at the First Congregational Church with Rev. Matt Olsen and Rev. William Trump officiating. Memorial contributions may be made in Dorothy’s name to Sparrow Hospice Services, PO Box 30480, Lansing, Michigan, 48909 or to the Briggs Public Library, 108 E. Railroad St., St. Johns, Michigan 48879. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a favorite memory, submit a photo or to sign her online guest book.