Carolyn Stayer

Carolyn Barbara Stayer

It is with heavy hearts  that we announce the passing of Carolyn (Cary) Barbara Stayer. She passed away peacefully, on Monday September 30, 2024, at Tomlinson Assisted Living,. The family takes comfort in that she lived an amazing life for 100 years. She brought love and joy to her family and everyone she met.

Cary was born in Quincy Township, a mining town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Her father Matthew Shabal (Matija Sabaji) and Mother Mary Shabal (Marija Rozman) were both born in Croatia.  She was one of 12 children. Her father and brother Matt Shabal died in a mining accident.  Cary moved to Detroit in 1939 with her mother and graduated from Cass Tech High School, Detroit.  She worked as a telephone operator and then supervisor for Michigan Bell (now ATT).

Cary married Albert Joseph Stayer on June 2, 1951 and moved to Cadillac, Michigan. Her son, James Albert Stayer, was born January 30,1953. In 1979, she retired from Michigan Bell after 34 years of service. Albert Stayer passed away February 26,1981. After his death, she moved to Singing Forest Park in Florida to be near her sister Toni Meyer. Cary was loved by the retirement community. She spent many hours helping neighbors, playing cards, biking, and traveling with her good friend, Elizabeth Currie. She spent many summers with her son and his family in Lexington. She treasured the time she spent with her grandkids and great grandkids, often playing games, reading books and singing songs to them.

In 2017, Cary returned to Michigan full time, living at Blue Water Lodge in Port Huron. She enjoyed going to activities with other residents, especially her sister-in-law Josephine Vincent. There she was well-liked and considered a friend to all. Later in life when she needed more assistance, she lived at Lakeshore AFC, New Life AFC and at Tomlinson Assisted Living.

Cary was preceded in death by her parents, Matthew Shabal and Mary Shabal (Rozman); her husband, Albert Joseph Stayer; her siblings Mary Rozman, Anna Verbanac, Mathew Shabal, Frank Shabal, John Shabal, Antonia (Toni) Meyer, Rose Shabal, Martha Perko, Amelia (Molly) Wilson, George Shabal, and Margaret Pertrtyl.

Cary will be dearly missed by her son, James Albert Stayer and his wife Patricia Anne Stayer (Currie); her granddaughter, Sherry Stayer Smeltzer and her husband Robert William Smeltzer III; her grandson, James Robert Stayer; and great grandsons, Robert William Smeltzer IV and Evan James Smeltzer; sister-in-law and friend, Josephine Vincent; and her many loving and supportive nieces and nephews.

The family wants to thank Sabrina Sontag and Christina Bates at New Life, and Samantha Brown and her amazing staff at Tomlinson Assisted Living for their tender loving care of Cary. In addition the family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and aides from Lake Huron Medical Center for all they did to help Cary live a full and comfortable life.  Their kindness and attention to her needs was greatly appreciated by her and by our family.

Carolyn Barbara Stayer was an amazing woman, with a great sense of humor and a contagious smile. She was loved by family and all who knew her. Cary will be deeply missed

Please sign Carolyn's Guestbook.