12-19-1941 ~ 6-15-2024
December is a time for kindness and generosity. On December 19, 1941 a humble couple, Ernest and Bernice Clifford, of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, had the gift of their first born and aptly named her Carole. “Christmas Carole” Clifford was a kind Minnesotan from the get-go: She was a diligent student, devoted daughter, and nurturing sister to her younger brother, Jim (who died of cancer in 2017). Carole also had a spark for fun, and learned her love of dancing in the kitchen doing dishes with her dad, Ernie, an accountant and before that a professional football player pre-dating the NFL. While attending St. Louis Park High, Carole danced with the Parkette Dance Team, performing at Minnesota Lakers Professional Basketball games, as well as school related events. Carole’s kindness, unforgettable smile, and knack for staying in touch secured childhood friendships that continued for life—she was often called the “glue” of the group. Carole attended the University of Minnesota and studied elementary education. As a member of the Gopher’s Dance Squad, Carole appeared on floats for the Gophers’ only two Rose Bowl Games, the second of which they won. She had the ignominious distinction of being photographed on the parade float covering her mouth and whispering to her friend: “they’re going to take our picture now so, remember, don’t talk”—a life-long habit of looking out for others at the expense of herself.
In 1964 Carole met her husband, David Edward Lyons at her cousin’s dance party. Dave would later claim, “I met your mom at a bar where she stepped on my fingers.” He would add, “we still don’t know whether I was passed out on the floor or she was dancing on the bar.” Carole’s ability to heartily laugh at Dave’s questionable jokes, even after hearing them repeated for years, was a key ingredient to their marriage of almost 45 years, until Dave died of Bile Duct cancer in 2010. Carole cherished her role as sister-in-law and aunt to Dave’s large Irish Catholic Lyons Clan, where Dave was the youngest of nine siblings, and had over 60 cousins from both sides of his family. Having no nephews or nieces on her own side of the family, Carole happily married into a family of no fewer than 24.
While living in Minneapolis, Carole gave birth to her son, Timothy, and daughter, Karrie. Dave and Carole always had an adventurous spirit, and Dave loved pioneer history; so Dave sought out a job with the Bureau of Land Management (Department of Interior), and the family heeded the call to go West, moving to the mountains of Conifer, Colorado in 1976. A generous host and entertainer, Carole welcomed a steady stream of friends and family visiting from the Midwest. She penned the much-heralded column, “Company’s Coming” in the impossibly prestigious (now defunct) High Timber Times. Carole’s Erma Bombeck styled funny antidotes of endless visitors and entertaining tips was seen by—well, estimates have ranged as high as—9, maybe 10 people a week! Carole went back to teaching in the 80’s and was amongst the first teachers to be hired in the newly opened mountain school, Marshdale Elementary, in Evergreen Colorado. She took her job as a second-grade teacher very seriously, introducing a new curriculum of World Awareness and teaching through hands-on learning and cooperative groups, a forerunner of those educational trends. Always appreciating different cultures, and retaining a sense of adventure, the culmination of her teaching career came in the 90’s when Carole did a year-long teacher exchange that brought her and Dave to Murwillumbah, Australia. Additionally, to further enhance her teaching skills and her already high level of empathy, Carole obtained a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology in a program offered through Lesley College. While she never formally practiced as a therapist, Carole was always the person with whom others—including every complete stranger she sat next to on a flight—spoke about their problems. Her deep compassion and kindness, her ability to actively listen, was endless and unmatched.
Carole loved being a mother and was a devoted cheerleader and source of emotional support to her son Tim, Professor of Philosophy of Science at Indiana University Indianapolis, and daughter Karrie, Clinical Psychologist in Evergreen Colorado. Carole reached her personal highpoint as a grandmother, beloved “Nana” to twins Regina and Rianna Sjostrom (now 19) and Huxley (age 10) and Everson (age 9) Lyons. Karrie might not have survived the early years of raising twins had Carole and Dave not rented a condo in Chicago for six months at a time, just to hold babies and help out. In true teacher style, Carole wrote 8 volumes of laminated scrapbooks, complete with pictures, documenting the early lives of Regina and Rianna, and written in a way to teach them how to read. While her energy allowed it, Nana Carole eagerly babysat all her grandchildren, “Nana Camp,” and was known for making every event special, sneaking them cookies, ice-cream, and chocolate, and providing endless hugs. In true “Christmas Carole” fashion, Nana unfailingly gifted commemorative Christmas ornaments to mark milestones, trips, and accomplishments. Always thinking of others and overflowing with love, even the generations of family dogs were given their own stockings and ornaments.
After enduring the winters of Minnesota and Colorado, Carole was drawn to the warmth of Naples, Florida. However, to be fully part of her grandchildren’s lives, she divided her time between Florida and Chicago (2005-2007), Florida and Colorado (2007-2016) and Florida and Indianapolis (2016-2024). While in Florida, Carole reconnected with many Minnesota friends and family and thoroughly enjoyed the beaches, flowers, and eating seafood whenever possible. For her 80th birthday Carole completed her single item bucket list, continuing her legacy of generosity, kindness, and love, by taking the whole family on a whirlwind week-long trip to Disney World. After a difficult season of enduring dementia, repeated falls, surgery for broken bones, sepsis, and two bouts of covid (she was a tough one), Carole passed away peacefully at age 82. During her last year and half she resided in assisted living, where each one of the staff commented on her kindness, sweet nature, and her enthusiastic, beautiful, make-your-day smile; true to the end, she received the award of “Friendliest Resident,” dated, coincidentally on the anniversary of her marriage to Dave. Christmas Carole, beloved Nana, is survived by her son Timothy Lyons (sons Huxley and Everson) and Karrie Lyons-Sjostrom (husband Bradley; daughters Regina and Rianna). While Carole’s husband Dave died in 2010, it was Carole’s wish that they be interred together, across the road from Marshdale Elementary where she taught all those years ago and in the window of the “Pioneer Cabin,” befitting of Dave’s passion that first beckoned them westward.
In lieu of flowers, consider doing an act of kindness in honor and in tribute to Carole.
Interment and Celebration of Life will occur on Sunday, August 4, 2024 starting at 1:00 PM.
Pioneer Cabin
Evergreen Memorial Barn Park
26624 N. Turkey Creek Road
Evergreen, CO 80439
Celebration of Life 3:00 PM
Mount Vernon Canyon Club
24933 Club House Circle
Golden, CO 80401.