Carol W. Cremin

Carol Ann Woodward Cremin

Carol passed away on December 27th. She lost her appetite to eat or to fight. She was mad that mental health, parkinsonism, osteoporosis and dementia kept her from her love of shopping and socializing. Carol was always the first out of the car, the fastest walker and first to finish a meal. So, laying still was not her thing. Before she died, I played Gladys Knight & The Pips for her which soothed her, taking her back to happier times, and her frown went away.

Carol was born September 19, 1938, to Mary B. and Robert H. Woodward. Raised in Bloomfield, NJ and (Indian Hills) Cincinnati, OH, she was a precious only child. Her pony Nellie brought much joy and mischief to the family, as Nellie would try to brush her off under a tree or run away to the neighbors for horse visits. Still Carol was known to sleep in the stall with her. Carol also loved spending time on Lake Wawasee, Indiana where her Grandparents kept her sailboat at the cottage, and she would take off in the wind!

She attended Walnut Hills High School with many close friends, then Randolph Macon Women’s College earning a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and The Daughters of the American Revolution. She met her future husband Walter, who was attending Washington and Lee at the same time. Since their schools were not co-ed, there were many dances and socials scheduled. Then, Carol endured critical injuries from a car wreck with 3 of her friends. Her mother stayed vigil by her side for months at the hospital and Walter was a welcome visitor who no doubt entertained her - bedside. She was amazingly able to finish her rigorous course work to complete her education on time.

After Graduation they were happily married in July 1960 and moved to San Angelo, TX for Walter’s Marine Reserves service, she taught school and had Trey in 1961. During her 20 years living in Houston, she became an active Theta Alumni leader, had Marianne in 1964, then named Chairman of the Theta Charity Antiques Show. She enjoyed being an Assistant for the Juvenal Diabetes Research Foundation, Camp Fire Girl Leader, substitute teacher and receptionist.

Carol or mom also drove Trey and I to school every day called carpool with packed sack lunches. It was like a box of chocolates; we never knew what we were going to get. There was ballet, swim team, baseball, softball, piano, tennis, Girls Catillion, PDAP, ice-skating, shopping at Palais Royal, horse jumping, bowling, Boy Scouts; visits with Aunt Bettie, which we loved. After a while Dad picked up the driving and cooking duties while he sold insurance policies.

She taught me how to throw solid snowballs, how to have patience, how to decipher her mother's handwriting, not to cuss or say the word "fart" much less actually fart, the consequences of Not balancing a checkbook, the importance of "yes ma'am", the joy of accessorizing, the difference between cherry and mahogany furniture, how to use ground beef 4 ways: patties, chili, meatloaf and meatballs w spaghetti.



In 1982, they moved to Kerrville where she made new friends, was an avid tennis player, antiques dealer, and volunteer which continued in the Austin area for the last 25 years, closer to her children and grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her mother, father and loving ex-husband of 27 years, Walter C. Cremin Jr., along with numerous close family members and lifetime friends. She missed them all but carried on as long as she could.

Survived by her son Walter C. Cremin III, wife Cheryl Cremin, grandchildren Cassy and Nicholas Cremin, her daughter Marianne C. Taylor, husband Wade B. Taylor, grandchildren Maggie Taylor Moe and Emma Taylor. Great-grandchildren Gracie, Bo and Lincon. Her beloved Cremin nieces and nephews. Carol’s Maid of Honor and friend for 65 years, Mrs. Nancy Erhardt of Ohio.

She had numerous wonderful Physicians and Psychiatrists who put her back together and many gentle, smart and clever caregivers over the years, but she was not willing to let just anyone help her. You had to gain her trust and know her sense of humor to get that impish grin going. She amazed many people by her resilience, surviving so many things in her life, including but not limited to lung cancer, broken bones requiring more pins, and then Covid at the age of 81.

Carol, Mom, Aunt Carol, Grandma Carol loved everyone in her family and cherished many friendships from childhood, extended family and neighbors of Briargrove. The summers back to Indiana and Michigan were her favorite times. She always asked about our childhood friends and what everyone was doing with their time, kids, marriages and finances. 😉

There will not be a service at this time. Carol was cremated and placed in a classic mahogany box which fits her love of classic antiques.

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