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Lived. Loved. Laughed.

2/4/2021

22 Comments

 
Carol introduced this blog with the quote: “In the end, it's not going to matter how many breaths you took, but how many moments took your breath away.”  She embraced that fully, not only following her diagnosis, but her entire life.

With heavy hearts, we share that Carol passed away on January 31, 2021.

For over seven years she shared her ALS journey on this forum -- and -- there’s so much more to Carol than you may know. She has always been a committed advocate and champion for those needing a voice: this was her DNA long before her diagnosis.  And much as she was proud of her advocacy, she didn’t want to be remembered just for ALS. And how could we when there was so much more to her? Whether rejoicing in nature at Kamp Kanawana, serving as Camp Hayward Director in Cape Cod, teaching in Saint Maarten, or facilitating groups with concurrent disorders at the Canadian Mental Health Association in Ottawa, this McGill graduate and certified art therapist brought joy to so many.  Beloved wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, she was vegetarian for decades and animal lover too - the “C’ in Carol surely stood for caring, always all ways.

She will be dearly missed by her extended family and friends around the world; all those in the ALS and mental health community, YMCA camp world, McGill and Kappa networks, and every place she lived and loved.  Still 49 years young, the scope of her loved ones is too numerous to mention here.

​No matter what “next” you believe in, it’s comforting to think of Carol with brother Don, cats Cookie and Nemo, sharing tea (or champagne!) with Granny, and planning her next trip. We wish her great music,
delicious food, and satisfying cards and puzzles.

We’ll miss you Carol, our lives were better for knowing you, no matter how short that may have been.

Please keep Travis, Dory, and Buddy in your thoughts; and at such a time when it’s safe to be together again, we look forward to hugging and celebrating all things about our sweet crown-wearing princess and great surpriser, Carol.

If you would like to continue Carol’s legacy of caring, donations in her honour are gratefully welcomed at:
  • ALS Society of Canada
  • Kappa Kappa Gamma Rose McGill Financial Aid
  • Your local SPCA / Humane Society

​Let’s remember how much awareness was raised with the ALS Bucket Challenge - we encourage you to be inspired by Carol’s life and take action. As we learn from one of Carol’s favorite characters, Ferris Bueller: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” What are you doing to live, love and laugh for your best life?
22 Comments
Annemarie Brissenden link
2/4/2021 01:33:31 pm

Thank you for this perfect tribute--the C was indeed for caring. Carol will be missed and will always inspire me to live, love, and laugh. Travis, Peter, and Louise...as well as beloved friends both two and four legged, my thoughts are with you. I hope to share hugs, bubbles, and laughter soon.

Reply
Sara Francoeur
2/4/2021 02:13:30 pm

Carol - I will never forget your contagious joy and your smile that drew people to your warm heart. Including a Ferris Bueller quote to this saddest of announcements reminds me of your natural ability to bring cheer to people who need it most. I will think of you often. xo

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Andrew Nunez
2/4/2021 02:17:38 pm

Thank you Carol for gracing our lives. Like the art you adored, your life was not defined by the lines that created its boundaries. Rather, the colors you filled it with in the space in between. We will miss you dearly.

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Donna Titterton
2/4/2021 03:06:14 pm

Dear Carol,
I have been truly blessed to have worked for you for these last 14 months. It's hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember. Thank you so much.
Love Donna

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Ginette Begg
2/4/2021 04:41:57 pm

The world will be a little less bright without your big beautiful smile in it. Your infectious joy was and always will be an inspiration to me.

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Françoise Drouin-Soucy
2/4/2021 05:23:03 pm

I remember Carol fondly as a devoted colleague at CMHA. She touched so many lives through her work, and then so many more as a fierce advocate for ALS awareness. She will be dearly missed by the whole community.

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Steven
2/4/2021 05:27:24 pm

I fondly remember Carol on our canoe trip and the fun times we shared at Kanawana. More recently I am glad I got to see her receive the PIP award. What a blessing we had.

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Vincent J Quinn
2/4/2021 05:38:46 pm

I met Carol through our advocacy efforts with ALS Canada. What a lovely person and powerful spokesperson for our common illness. The battle will go on, with her as an inspiration to all who fight ALS.

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Audrey Drake link
2/4/2021 06:06:15 pm

My most sincere condolences to Louise and Peter and family. My heart goes out to you all.
May you find comfort in your loss by embracing all the precious memories of your lovely, courageous and joy-filled girl. I have no doubt that her spirit will live on and on.
Big hugs and love.

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Louise Sharman
2/28/2021 03:15:19 pm

thanks Audrey. Appreciate your kind words. Hopefully will see you in Montreal or if you get to Ottawa

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Pauline Jackson
2/4/2021 06:46:24 pm

Carol and I met at Kanawana and became good friends. We shared many great memories and had so many laughs together. The news of her passing has left a hole in my heart. Sincere condolences to Travis and Carols family.

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Carol Smith
2/4/2021 06:57:40 pm

Carol with her generosity, laughter, love of life, fun ideas enriched my life for so many years. She shared my daughter's university years and her wedding, brightened my days when she lived with us in Toronto, shared a big sadness in my life, played Word games and puzzles with me, never forgot my birthday and introduced me to Lindt chocolate balls !!
She lived life to the max and will continue to shine brightly in my heart.

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Ora Loeub
2/4/2021 07:07:03 pm

I first met Carol at kanawana when I was 15 years old as my section director. I remember as a JC finding out from Carol that sneak outs were planned and the look on her face watching my reaction was priceless. We continued to work together for four years at Camp Hayward. I will always remember her big smile and happy demeanour. My deepest condolences to Carol’s entire family. She will be forever remembered. ❤️

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Yumi
2/4/2021 08:05:40 pm

Carol was my counsellor at Kanawana and I have fond memories of our time together. I felt privileged to be present at the Pip Award ceremony in 2016. Carol had such a warm and infectious smile, and loved to laugh. With her passing, it feels like the world lost a beautiful light.

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DvG - Danny van Gelder
2/4/2021 08:18:36 pm

This brings tears to my eyes, but also a tremendous sense admiration, of how to live a life ... no matter the cards one gets dealt.

I was/am part of the same Kamp and Cape Camp communities as Carrol, and can’t say I knew her as well as many (10 years at camp is a big age gap!)

Her dedication, sense of fun, and courage, especially these past 7 years I find to be ... truly remarkable.

Hugging whoever needs one (virtually)

DvG

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Beth McKinney
2/4/2021 09:21:32 pm

A beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul... Carol was a kindred spirit and a gift to the world.

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Jan Saul
2/4/2021 09:39:56 pm

I’d like to give my heartfelt condolences to Carol’s family and friends. I had the privilege of interviewing Carol for a direct mail letter for ALS Canada. Carol shared her story with a warmth, honesty and bravery I have never forgotten. She made a huge impression on me and my colleagues and I often visited her website to see how she was. I am so sorry to hear of Carol’s passing.

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Chris Dumas
2/5/2021 08:27:28 pm

Carol was a good friend on the year-round Burgess crew. We had a close staff. Carol and I took guitar lessons together down at Nick's Music Shop in Sandwich for years. It was such an enjoyable ritual. She was such a bright light. My condolences to her family and friends.

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Craig & Donna Defries
2/6/2021 08:11:30 pm

Carol’s warm, welcoming spirit, dedication and overall joie de vivre was inspiring. Fond memories of working together at CMHA and thankful for her friendship. Heartfelt condolences to her family and friends

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Joanne Haddad
2/7/2021 09:49:25 am

Dearest Carol, I will miss you forever!
We had a beautiful vigil for you at Canadian Mental Health Association on Thursday. There were so many of your work friends there and to my surprise, a whole bunch new workers were there to honour you and our other colleague, Jamie, who sadly passed on the same day you did. We told stories, listened to songs, someone read beautiful poems, we meditated all togother.... Your spirit was very strong amongst us. Peace to you dear sister!

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Carol Ann Odorico
2/8/2021 07:15:52 pm

Heartfelt condolences to you Louise, Peter and family. May your cherished memories bring you much comfort during this difficult time. Sending you huge virtual hugs ❤️

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Louise Sharman
2/28/2021 03:13:48 pm

Thanks for your condolences. Please thank all the volleyball girls for their support over the years. I often think about you, them and Donna.

Reply



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    Carol Jean Skinner (née Sharman)
    born October 19
    lives in Ottawa, Canada

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carol skinner  - rolyskinner@gmail.com
travis skinner - skinnertravis@gmail.com