Joel Karnick
Carolyn Sue Hames (née Conaway) of Butternut, WI, fell asleep one night, smiling to the sounds of her son singing her favorite songs. Early the next morning, Tuesday, December 10, the reassuring words of her husband gave her comfort as she peacefully drifted to whatever comes next. She was 83.
Carolyn was born in Columbus, OH, the daughter of Gene and Sue Conaway (Glenn) on August 3, 1941.
She graduated from Columbus North High School in 1959, before beginning her time as an airline stewardess for United Airlines. Carolyn was deeply proud of this job, which gave her the foundation of what would be her worldview. Kindness costs nothing and pays dividends in ways you may never see. You never know what a person whose day you’ve made a little nicer might do with their day. Being silly whenever possible doesn’t hurt, either.
Carolyn Married John Peter (“Jack”) Hames, on September 12,1970. The two moved to the Northwoods, and eventually bought a home in Butternut, where they lived for most of the rest of her life, adopting and raising two boys.
Carolyn was a member of Immaculate Conception Parish, where she sang in the choir, one of the great joys of her life, and what she is probably most known for. Her unmistakable soprano tones dared the angels themselves to compete with her, either with the choir, in the congregation, or singing songs of joy and comfort for weddings and funerals. Despite never learning how to read a note of music, she had uncannily perfect pitch till her last day in this world.
Family was the single most important thing to Carolyn. Though she had moved hundreds of miles away from Columbus. not a day went by without her mentioning a story about her sister and brothers’ antics. Their visits with her in her final months, and her love for each of them, was a palpable source of warmth and comfort in her final days. She was without peer as a wife, mother, and sister. Attempting to do justice in writing to the love she felt toward her husband and sons would be a waste of time, but is evident in the love and memories they will carry with them for the rest of their days.
Remaining to cherish Carolyn’s memory are her husband, Jack Hames, her brothers, Mike Conaway and Tom Conaway, her sister, Patti Conaway Browning, her sons Jonathan Schaefer-Hames and Jason Drake-Hames, daughter-in-law, Maggie Schaefer-Hames, and four grandchildren, Charlie, Dora, Carlie, and Brielle, and 10 cousins. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
A memorial Mass will be held at 11:00am on Saturday December 21, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Butternut. Fr. Shaji Pazhukkathara will officiate, Deacon Robert Schienebeck will co-officiate.
A visitation will be held at the church on Saturday December 21, 2024 from 10:00am until the hour of the service.
Carolyn’s last wishes were that rather than send flowers, be kind, sing a song, and do something silly. All at once, if possible.
Charitable donations in her name can be made to https://www.heifer.org/index.html
Birch Street Funeral Service is assisting the family.
