Carolyn Ann Mathe, 91 years, of Monroe, Michigan, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at ProMedica Toledo Hospital in Toledo, Ohio.
Born February 17, 1935, in Toledo, Carolyn was the daughter of the late Gustave A. and Martha M. (Herman) Eppler. She was raised in Erie, where she helped on the family farm. Carolyn attended Shoreland Elementary School and was a 1952 graduate of Woodward High School, both located in Toledo. She then attended St. Vincent School of Nursing, from which she became a Registered Nurse in 1955.
On September 27, 1958, Carolyn married her beloved husband, Karl Mathe, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Erie. Sadly, he preceded her in death on October 14, 2020, after 62 years of marriage.
Carolyn started her career as an RN at St. Vincent Hospital; she then went to work for Dr. Henry Brown and then for Dr. Harry Nicholson, Dr. Brown's son-in-law. Her decision to retire in 1988 was based on her desire to help care for and spend time with her grandsons.
Carolyn was a long-time member of St. Mary Catholic Church, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and was a member of the Christian Women. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus Council 1266. She enjoyed tending to her yard, flower and vegetable gardening, occasionally fishing with her husband, and celebrating family birthday dinners. Carolyn gave back to the community through her volunteer work. She volunteered at the Import Haus during the annual German-American Festival in Oregon, OH, judged flowers at the Monroe County Fair, and sold cradle pictures at Mercy Hospital in Monroe to benefit the hospital. She genuinely loved helping others, and for those who helped her or showed an act of kindness, she would often reward them with her delicious chocolate chip cookies. Most of all, Carolyn enjoyed time spent with family.
Carolyn is survived by her two loving children: John (Susan) Mathe of LaSalle and Gustave Mathe of Monroe, two cherished grandsons: Mark (Sarah) Mathe of Ida and Brian (Jessica) Mathe of LaSalle, and four treasured great grandchildren: Lauren, Wesley, Nora, and Natalie.
Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1 – 6 pm at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, Michigan, 48161, with a Rosary service at 5:00 pm. On Monday, March 23, 2026, she will lie in state at St. Mary Catholic Church from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, when the Mass of the Resurrection celebrating Carolyn's life will begin. Fr. David Burgard will be the celebrant. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Monroe.
Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Mary Catholic Church, or the Knights of Columbus Council 1266 Goodfellows Club to provide food for the hungry in her community.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com .