Carol Joanel Shields

Our Mom, Carol Shields, 89, of Madison, passed peacefully into Heaven on Friday, November 28th, surrounded by her kids and grandkids, with love, laughter, music, and prayer.

Mom was born in Sioux City, Iowa, to George and Dorothy Solomon. She was married for 46 years to our father, Larry Shields, who preceded her in death in 2006. She met our dad while they were both working at Boeing in Seattle; he proposed to her on their third date. He fell in love with her instantly, as did most people who met her.

Moving was our way of life, and through it all, Mom was our steady center, our backbone, and our compass. With her determination, warmth, and humor, she made each new city feel like home. By our final move, she had mastered the art of unpacking a house faster than most people can find their car keys.

Mom had four children: Patrick Shields (Leslie), Terri Young (Robert), Colleen Shields, and Marybeth Starr (Steve). She was also the proud grandmother of nine grandchildren: Austin Ackerly; Riley and Evan Shields; Cody, Robert II, Renee, and Nicole Young; and Cody and Luke Starr. She is also loved by many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. We are carrying forward the love and lessons she poured into us.

Mom loved musicals, Jane Austen, and the Hallmark Channel, and she would sing a song at the drop of a hat. She was smart, sassy, and had an incredible sense of humor. She had a natural ability to lighten your mood, was the keeper of secrets, and her advice always turned out to be true—even if you thought otherwise when it was given. Above all, in so many different ways, she let us know we were her greatest pride, and she made sure we knew it.

To know our mom was to feel a part of something special; she never met a stranger and loved to make people smile, even if you were simply standing in line with her at the grocery store. She was the strongest woman we knew and razor sharp. We are grateful to be her family and that we had her for as long as we did, although it never feels like long enough.

The family will receive friends from 5:00–7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 5th, at Legacy Chapel Funeral Home.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on December 6th at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.

Those wishing to honor Mom’s memory may send flowers or make a donation in her name to the St. John the Baptist Baby Basket Ministry.