Irondequoit: August 28, 2016, at age 105. Predeceased by beloved husband of 62 years, Joseph and dear canine companion, Suzie. Survived by niece, Barbara (William) Seils; nephews, David (Karen) Behner and Albert Bradwell. Carmen was a long time avid bowler who was inducted into the Rochester Women’s Bowling Hall of Fame in 1979.
Memorial Service Friday, September 2nd 1:30Pm at the Crest Manor Nursing Home Chapel. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Crest Manor Nursing Home, 6745 Pittsford Palmyra Rd., Fairport, NY 14450.
Carmen married the love of her life Joseph on August 13, 1938 and enjoyed many adventures for the next 62 years together. They enjoyed traveling, dancing (at dance halls in Rochester), music and bowling, among many other activities. One year they went to visit Carmen’s sister Millie in Chicago, about the time of their anniversary, Lawrence Welk was performing at one of the hotels and Millie was able to get tickets to the show. Carmen and Joe enjoyed watching Lawrence Welk every Saturday night on the TV. Carmen and Joseph had the trip of their dreams to Hawaii in 1967. They also liked going to Finger Lakes Race track and watching the horses race. Many times they would stop and pick up their niece Barbara’s children and take them along for a special treat.
Before Carmen and Joe owned a car they would rent a bicycle for two and go visit friends and meet them at different parks to play tennis, or go to their homes for a visit and play cards.
Carmen was an avid bowler in 1979 and was inducted into the Rochester Women’s Bowling Hall of Fame. She traveled to different city’s in the states for tournaments, Detroit in 1953, City champs in 1955, gave lessons at various bowling halls, and worked as a supervisor at Brighton Bowl for many years.
Susie, their Boston Terrier, was the light of their life, she would meet the mailman everyday and bring home the mail, likewise with the paperboy and the newspaper. Susie would bring Joe his slippers everyday and evening when he came home from work.
Susie would help Carmen with different chores around the home.
Carmen loved playing piano and while she played Susie would sit by her and “sing.” All Carmen’s friends and relatives remember sitting by the piano at special occasions and singing the songs while she played, especially at Christmas time.
This is a photo from Carmen’s 100th Birthday Celebration with her sister Lorraine (age 95) and niece Barbara.
There was a birthday club, made up of friends and on the persons birthday they would choose the restaurant of their choice and all would meet for lunch. Afterwards they would go to the park or ones home and play euchre. Carmen would play euchre till the cows came home!
This was a letter sent to Carmen on her 100th Birthday from President Barack Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama. Carmen was so excited to receive this note personally signed by both for her birthday.
Thank you Aunt Carm for all the wonderful memories!
Love from the Seils family,
Niece Barbara & Bill.
Great nieces and nephews Richard, & Susan, Cheryl, Kenneth & Christine, and Susan.
Great-great nieces and nephews Natalie & Reid, Jeffrey, Ashley, Meghan & Tyler, Brian, Spenser and Tessa.
Great-great-great nieces and nephews Ayden, Olivia, Lillian, and Tucker
Comments
5 responses to “Schwenzer, Carmen K.”
Gail Smith
Love from the Webber family. We met Carmen in 2009 when our mother was her roommate for a short while at Crest Manor. We were always very appreciative of her watching over our mother who had Alzheimer’s. When our mother left, I continued to visit Carmen every Sunday. She shared many of her wonderful experiences and stories with me and I will always be thankful for that. Bless you, Carmen.
All our love, Gail, Jill, Sandy, David, and Craig
Carole Eldridge
Sorry to hear of Carmen’s passing. I would visit her when in the Rochester area and always enjoyed hearing nostalgic stories about events in her past. Carm and Joe introduced my parents to each other while bowling and remained lifelong friends with them, Whether it was bowling, playing euchre, luncheons or celebrating New Year’s Eve Carmen was known for her wit, love of life and many friends.
Crest Manor Activities Dept.
All of us at Crest Manor Living and Rehabilitation Center will remember Carmen, not just for her longevity, but for her strong, vital and fun-loving spirit. We will think of her every time we sing (especially “You Are My Sunshine”!)
Mary O’Connor Crest Manor Bookkeeping Dept.
I just attended Carmen’s Memorial Service and I came away with a calm relaxed feeling that was Heavenly.
.
I had known Carmen since the day she came to Crest Manor. She always enjoyed my visits,especially when I did a little dance for her.
After the service I found out many things I did not know about her, and I thought to myself she had a lot of “devilment” in her much like myself 🙂
We will miss you Carmen but we know you are in a happier place with your husband Joe you dog Suzie and all of your friends, and the new friends you made at Crest Manor, that have gone before you and now they are there to welcome you.
MJ Fichtner
A beautiful, joyful soul! As a youngster as well as later on, I really enjoyed Carmen and Joe at our Fichtner family gatherings with her good bud, our beloved, great aunt Marion Lill. The two of them were quite a pair! Carmen’s infectious laugh, wide smile and loads of fun filled any space she entered. I remember the euchre, laughter, and singing. Good times! My father went yesterday to Carmen’s wonderful service by her loving family infused with Carmen’s positive energy…songs of life! Blessings to you all and God rest her soul for always finding home where her heart was and bringing such joy to all!
Comments
5 responses to “Schwenzer, Carmen K.”
Love from the Webber family. We met Carmen in 2009 when our mother was her roommate for a short while at Crest Manor. We were always very appreciative of her watching over our mother who had Alzheimer’s. When our mother left, I continued to visit Carmen every Sunday. She shared many of her wonderful experiences and stories with me and I will always be thankful for that. Bless you, Carmen.
All our love, Gail, Jill, Sandy, David, and Craig
Sorry to hear of Carmen’s passing. I would visit her when in the Rochester area and always enjoyed hearing nostalgic stories about events in her past. Carm and Joe introduced my parents to each other while bowling and remained lifelong friends with them, Whether it was bowling, playing euchre, luncheons or celebrating New Year’s Eve Carmen was known for her wit, love of life and many friends.
All of us at Crest Manor Living and Rehabilitation Center will remember Carmen, not just for her longevity, but for her strong, vital and fun-loving spirit. We will think of her every time we sing (especially “You Are My Sunshine”!)
I just attended Carmen’s Memorial Service and I came away with a calm relaxed feeling that was Heavenly.
.
I had known Carmen since the day she came to Crest Manor. She always enjoyed my visits,especially when I did a little dance for her.
After the service I found out many things I did not know about her, and I thought to myself she had a lot of “devilment” in her much like myself 🙂
We will miss you Carmen but we know you are in a happier place with your husband Joe you dog Suzie and all of your friends, and the new friends you made at Crest Manor, that have gone before you and now they are there to welcome you.
A beautiful, joyful soul! As a youngster as well as later on, I really enjoyed Carmen and Joe at our Fichtner family gatherings with her good bud, our beloved, great aunt Marion Lill. The two of them were quite a pair! Carmen’s infectious laugh, wide smile and loads of fun filled any space she entered. I remember the euchre, laughter, and singing. Good times! My father went yesterday to Carmen’s wonderful service by her loving family infused with Carmen’s positive energy…songs of life! Blessings to you all and God rest her soul for always finding home where her heart was and bringing such joy to all!