Loudonville – Carol Ann (Carolus) (West) Draper, 81, passed away Sunday July 8, 2018 at the Van Rensselaer Manor in Troy after a long illness. Born in Albany, she was the daughter of Raymond Allen Carolus and Louisa Petronella (Vonk) Carolus. Carol grew up in a loving family in Albany, NY.
She enjoyed the city: swimming and ice skating in Lincoln Park, riding her bike, walking around downtown, and playing with friends and cousins. She took the secretarial course at Albany High. She loved her first job as a medical secretary at the VA Hospital.
She was very interested in, and knowledgeable about, medical things. And, later, after raising her family, she also enjoyed her secretarial job and made many friends at SUNY Construction Fund. She was a very efficient and conscientious worker.
But she loved being a wife and mother even more. After marrying, she devoted herself full-time to keeping her home and family. She was an excellent cook and baker.
Her homemade iced tea, glazed raised donuts, cookies, cakes, and pies were rivalled by none. Her dinners, all made from scratch and fresh ingredients, were always delicious and satisfying. She kept her home spotless and neat.
Her kids thought she had eyes in the back of her head and rabbit ears for hearing. We didn’t get away with much, but she loved us unconditionally until the end. She faced many challenges, meeting each with indomitable strength.
Brain tumor at 33, husband dying when he was 48, leaving their 3 teenagers behind, loss of her second husband later, and ill health most of her life. She loved to travel when she was able, and especially loved the beach. She loved her annual sojourns to Florida for many years, from her youth into her older age.
Family was a key part of her life. She grew up in a close extended family, and continued that tradition. Her mother and sister and other family supported her through many of her crises.
And when she was able, she, in turn, supported them. Many times were enjoyed at Thatcher Park with good friends and family, picnicking, swimming, and playing baseball. Most important to her, however, was the faith in God that she began to have at age 12.
Her faith grew and evolved over the years and through her experiences, becoming more and more precious to her. In her last years, though unable to get out to her weekly Bible studies, her faith was the focus of her conversation and thoughts. The Bible was a rdzt/ of great comfort to her.
The promise of a new body, an eternity without sorrow and pain, and meeting the One who made it possible, kept her going. She was predeceased by her 2 husbands; Robert T. West (1978) and Norman Draper (2004). She is survived by her 3 children; Thomas R. (April) West of Chestermere, Alberta, Canada; Alan R. (Rachel) West of Coxsackie, NY and Christina “Tina” L. (Eric) Dean of Charlemont, MA.
Grandchildren; Rob (Kristle) West and their children Raelyn, Aidan and Ashton. Raquel (Ryan) Farrell and their children Abigail, Autumn, Nicholas, Anna, Levi and William. Greg (Brianna) West and their son Bentley.
Elena Dean, Scott Dean, Erica Dean and Alyssa West. Her siblings; Raymond (the late Kathleen) Carolus, Alan (the late Doris) Carolus and Susanne (Gordon) Howe. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held Friday from 5-8 pm at DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home 5216 Western Turnpike (just west of Carman Rd. ), Guilderland. Funeral services will begin 11 am Saturday at the funeral home.
Burial will follow at Memory Gardens, Colonie.
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