1930 - 2023 (93 years)
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Name |
Carolyn Ann Mickelsen |
Birth |
28 Jan 1930 |
San Antonio, Texas |
Gender |
Female |
Biography |
1 Mqy 2023 |
Carolyn Ann Mickelsen, only daughter of Mick and "Jack," was born in San Antonio, Texas on January 28, 1930. She joined Frank, her older brother by 7 years, to complete the family. Her father, a graduate of West Point, began as an Army Major in the Signal Corps. As families in the military often do, she relocated a lot attending six elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools. She recalled fond memories of having lived in the Philippines between 6 and 8 years old before the move to Evanston, Illinois outside of Chicago.
In early 1942, soon after the start of WWII, Mick received orders to train in DC and soon sailed for England leaving his 11-year-old daughter and wife until his return in 1945. Along with many others during the war, Carol learned to adapt and honed skills on how to bloom even with things as they were. With her older brother in the service as well, Carol spent time alone, developing a passion for reading and starting things anew.
While living at home she entered George Washington University at nearby DC. Campus life mainly consisted of classes and the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. Summertime presented new prospects so she worked at the Pentagon while also enjoying adventures with dear friends Claire and Miriam. When retelling stories of this era she often beamed when recalling the weekend getaways and the dances at Annapolis. In June 1952 she graduated from George Washington University as an English Literature Major - a natural choice.
Graduation presented more change, and since the young gentleman she had her eye on did not propose marriage, change she would. Uncertain of her next step, she consulted with a counselor aware of the opportunity to relocate to Hawaii with her parents. His advice, "Carolyn, it's a no brainer, go to Hawaii!" Her father, now a Colonel, was transferred to Fort Shafter in 1952, so off she went! Surprisingly, this would actually be her first time living on an Army Post.
After a grueling cross-country drive on surface roads from the East coast, the three of them boarded a Troop Ship in San Francisco arriving two weeks later in Honolulu. At the ripe old age of 22, she docked at Honolulu Harbor unaware that this is where she would live another 71 full and wonderful years!
Shortly after arriving in the islands, she secured a job as a Customer Service Rep with Mutual Telephone. Then as destiny would have it, it was at a Christmas party that she met her husband-to-be, James Wilkinson. A dashing young man, who fell head over heels in love with this young sparkly gal. Apparently with no time to waste they began dating in December, announced their engagement in February, and were married June 27, 1953.
Their first apartment atop Pacific Heights had a marvelous view of Diamond Head with not a high-rise in sight! Soon, expecting their first child, they apprehensively chose to relocate to the "country" into a newly-built home in the watermelon patches of Kailua. It was in Kailua they built their life together and raised five children.
Mom recited many wonderful sayings that reflect her character and strengths. Patient, loving, content, loyal, and faithful, to touch on only a few. She will be so very missed by her family, her community of friends at Pohai Nani, First Presbyterian Church, and so many others she befriended over the years.
Carolyn Ann Wilkinson, 93, of Kaneohe, Oahu took her last breath on earth and first steps in Heaven on March 9, 2023. Left to celebrate her beautiful spirit and carry on her legacy are her surviving children: her son Jim Wilkinson, and wife Judy, son Michael Wilkinson and wife Steffany, daughter Karen Killian and husband Ron, daughter Gini Howard and husband Mike, and her son-in-law Bob Springer, 16 grandchildren, and 18 greatgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Jim, her precious daughter Ann Springer, and her beautiful granddaughter Kari Wilkinson.
Aloha Nui Loa and A Hui Hou, Sweet Carolyn! |
Death |
3 Mar 2023 |
Kaneohe, Hawaii |
- Pohai Nani Residence - 45-090 Namoku
Street, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744
|
Person ID |
I001 |
Walsh - Wilson Family Tree | Carolyn |
Last Modified |
2 Oct 2023 |
Father |
Arthur Emil Mickelsen, b. 11 Jul 1897, Kenosha, Wisconsin d. 16 Nov 1963, Dallas, Texas (Age 66 years) |
Mother |
Carolyn Elizabeth Ray, b. 16 Apr 1898, Philadelphia Pennsylvania d. 18 Jan 1973, Honolulu, Hawaii (Age 74 years) |
Marriage |
16 Jun 1919 |
Church Around the Corner, New York City, New York |
Photos |
| Carolyn Elizabeth Ray - Arthur Emil Mickelsen Wedding
|
Documents |
| Marriage Certificate from the Parish of The Church of the Transfiguration - Arthur Emil Mickelsen and Carolyn Elizabeth Ray
According to the Church's website, "It was in 1870 that Joseph Jefferson was rebuffed in arranging for the funeral of his friend, George Holland, an actor. Told that there was a little church around the corner where 'they do that sort of thing,' Jefferson fervently exclaimed, 'God Bless the Little Church Around the Corner' and that famous benediction has echoed down through the years. This brought about a close relationship with the people of the theater which has continued to this day. Because of our work in the Church and Theater, the Church of the Transfiguration was designated a United States Landmark in 1973. This romantic history has brought many people to have their marriage vows solemnized at the altars of the Church and today members of the 'Family of the Little Church Around the Corner,' resulting from such marriages, are to found in fifty states and numerous countries." http://www.littlechurch.org/history.html |
| Carolyn Elizabeth Ray - Arthur Emil Mickelsen Wedding Announcement
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Family ID |
F01 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
Family |
James William Wilkinson, Jr., b. 11 Jun 1927, Seattle, Washington d. 24 Aug 2016, Kaneohe, Hawaii (Age 89 years) |
Marriage |
27 Jun 1953 |
Ft. Shafter Chapel, Honolulu, Hawaii |
Children |
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Photos
|
| Carolyn Ann Mickelsen and James Wilkinson Jr. Sent by Carolyn on 14 Jul 2008 with this note, "Here's a more recent picture taken in June on Jim's 81st birthday - we had a little family get together and this one turned out pretty well - I have the lei because Jim didn't want to wear it!" |
| Reunion at Hale Kimo for James Wilkinson's 80th Birthday (At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.) |
| Hale Kimo Reunion - 2007 The grandchildren, grouped by age (At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.) |
| Hale Kimo 2007 Reunion (At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.) |
Documents
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| Miss Mickelsen Names Wedding Date
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| Miss Mickelsen Becomes Bride in Ft. Shafter Wedding
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| Ft. Shafter Wedding Cake Cutting
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| Carolyn Ann Mickelsen Memorial Service Program and Carolyn's Biography |
Family ID |
F04 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
Last Modified |
11 Oct 2017 |
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