Carol Crouse

Carol Ann Crouse, a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, daughter, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 12, 2022, in Winston-Salem surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Born January 6, 1938, in Pittsburgh, PA to Alex and Eva Ciechalski, Carol attended St. Canice High School, the University of Pittsburgh and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she earned a Masters Degree in 1991. She then co-founded Cornerstone Counseling Associates where she worked as a Licensed Professional Counselor through her retirement more than a decade later.

She met the love of her life, Richard Leo Crouse, when she was just fourteen years old. They married on June 1,1957, and their love affair continued until Richard’s passing on November 4, 2020, 64 years later. Just nine months following their wedding, Carol and Richard welcomed their first of four children, Eric, followed by Dawn, Marc and Todd. By the time she turned 27, Carol was a busy mother to four beautiful children seven years old and younger. Carol was a wonderful mother who ran a tight ship. Her children adored her until the very end and delighted in reminiscing about her loving but firm hand and the wisdom she imparted to them all.

In retirement, Carol and Richard enjoyed traveling together to destinations around the globe. They both enjoyed family gatherings, especially the quarterly Crouse birthday celebrations with their kids, spouses and grandkids. Most recently, Carol’s daughter, Dawn, treated her to a wonderful “girl’s trip” to New York City in December, along with Carol’s three daughters-in-law, whom she liked to tell everyone she had promoted to being her actual “daughters”.

Carol was a beloved grandmother to David, Hannah, Dale (Brooke) and Cameron - children of Eric and Blair; Jason and Amy, children of Dawn and Joe Puente; Steven (Jessica), Michael and Megan, children of Marc and Cheryl; and Nicholas (Kristen) and Elizabeth, children of Todd and Melinda. Recently, Evan and Addilyn joined the family as the first great-grandchildren, and another, Bailey Grace, is due this July.

In addition to spending time with her family, Carol loved gardening, playing bridge, solving crossword puzzles, knitting, walking and sharing a glass of wine with her cherished friends. She was a tenacious and spirited competitor in frequent family 500 Rummy games.

A funeral mass will be held at 11 am on Saturday, March 26, at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 1730 Link Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Our Lady of Mercy School - Tuition Assistance, 1730 Link Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.  Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com