Ms Carole M Babowice

Carole M. Babowice, known to many people of all generations as Aunt Carole and AC, beloved only daughter of Marion and John Babowice (deceased), loving sister of former Melrose Park Trustee John G. Babowice and Bobby Babowice (both deceased), dear sister-in-law to Janet Babowice, much loved aunt of Cathy (Szeghy), Jim, John and Janice (Jacklich) and their spouses, eleven great nieces and nephews, two great-great nieces and two great-great nephews, life-long friends with many, entered eternal life on September 24, 2023. Carole was born on July 30, 1936, at Oak Park Hospital. In her first 63 years she lived with her family in a white stucco home built by her grandfather on 23rd Avenue in Melrose Park. She attended Mt. Carmel grammar school and Proviso East High School. Carole’s father encouraged her to seek higher education so she matriculated at Elmhurst College, becoming the first in her family to earn a college degree, and majored in English. While she attended college classes at night, Carole worked full time as an administrative assistant for Northern Illinois Gas (NICOR) which underwrote the college costs. Carole had enduring faith. She attended mass weekly for her entire life at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, one block from her home. She and her family were devoted to the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Year after year she was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, attended novenas, prepared roses for the masses, attended to the welfare of the statue of the Blessed Mother, gathered religious articles for friends and family members, recited prayers, and at a younger age, walked the miles-long procession. For Carole, the year centered on the Feast, a special time when family would gather from near and far. Carole’s family home was on the central route of the procession, a gathering of hundreds of faithful devoted to the Blessed Mother who celebrate her July Feast Day by walking behind a platform bearing the life-sized statue of Mary embracing the infant Jesus. The procession has wound through the streets of Melrose Park for 130 years, intertwined with the strains of “Ave del Carmine” and punctuated by fire crackers as the statue passes by. Carole’s family understood her passion for the parish and gifted her with a special brick placed near the church entry that reads, “With love to Aunt Carole”. She and her late brother John were integral in the steps to declare the legendary statue of the Blessed Mother at Mt. Carmel parish a shrine. Carole enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. She also saw the world with her friends, flying to England, Germany, Italy and France and with her dear friends she made a pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, where six children had witnessed a vision of the Blessed Mother. After retirement, her travels with friends often took her to casinos in the midwest, slot machines being her preference, and she would report to her family that she won a little each time. Carole was truly happy when she could visit her great nephews’ and nieces’ at their college campuses where she reveled in their accomplishments. Nothing made her happier than when they called and visited her, even if it meant that the conversation would stray to teasing just like when she was with her brother John. Like her brother, Carole believed in civic duty, and most recently served as President of the Veteran’s Park Bulger Seniors Club in Melrose Park. In the last few years, Carole spent Saturday nights enjoying dinner with friends after mass, occasionally sneaking a little Baileys in their Dunkin’ Donuts coffee. Carole’s illness was sudden and shocking to her family and friends. Even in her final hours, she prayed her rosary, never letting it leave her beautifully manicured hands, and asked family to recite the Our Father with her. Carole exited this earthly plane listening to the sounds of “Ave del Carmine'' as she gave her last breath. Carole’s wit, smile, and unending love will forever be in the hearts of all who had the honor of knowing her. The family expresses its deepest gratitude to the health care workers at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital for their genuine compassion. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, October 2 at 10am at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Melrose Park. Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 1 from 10:30am to 2:30pm at Carbonara Funeral Home, 1515 North 25th Avenue, Melrose Park

Ms Carole M Babowice

July 30, 1936 - September 24, 2023