Carol E. Brewster died on May 30 at the age of 102, holding hands with her only child, Karen, and surrounded by family.
Carol was described as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was also a business owner, a big sister to her only surviving sibling, June, and a dear friend many turned to for guidance and wisdom.
Carol was born in Shell Lake, Wisconsin on February 5, 1923, to the parentage of Robert and Dosia Hails. She grew up and graduated from high school in Rhinelander, and shortly afterward, life changed forever when she met her husband, Alvin (Al) Brewster. On April 10, 1943, Al and Carol were married in Pecos, Texas, where Al earned his pilot wings with the U.S. Army Air Forces. This was Carol's first visit to Texas – a place she'd never been, but one that would eventually become home.
After World War II, Carol and Al returned to Three Lakes, Wisconsin, and studied at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. After beginning and operating their business for a few cold winters in Three Lakes, Wisconsin, they turned their attention to the Dallas area as a place destined for growth and economic opportunities.
In 1952, after her husband graduated from Southern Methodist University, they founded Brewster Realty and Investments Company, which included residential and commercial real estate, farms and rural land developments, as well as the construction of residential homes and commercial buildings. They spent the next 59 years working together in real estate until his death in July 2011. After Al's passing, Carol continued to work well into her nineties.
In March of 1961, Carol and Al welcomed the birth of their daughter, Karen. The role of mother was a role she cherished most. Carol was active in her daughter's education and development, sometimes in non-traditional ways. She was a member of the PTA and organized the PTA's fund-raising recipe book.
Carol gained a deep understanding of competitions and judging as she supported her daughter's growing interest in gymnastics. She organized and coached the elementary school's first girl softball team, although she couldn't catch a ball without the aid of a laundry basket. The team would ultimately win the championship.
Carol served as a Girl Scout leader and role model for the many young girls she would load into her car for one of their many memorable adventures. Imagine Carol and a group of girls running down Marsh Lane in hot pursuit of their escaped ring-neck pheasant. It wasn't uncommon to see her get on a bike or don a pair of roller skates with her grandchildren in her seventies.
Carol E. Brewster was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, two brothers and her husband of 68 years, Alvin E. Brewster. She is survived by her daughter, Karen (George) Florence; grandchildren, Victoria (Derik) Keyes, Kristine Walsh (Donny Bockemehl), and Kenneth Walsh (Ulyssa Mendez); sister, June Little; two great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.