Caralee A, Pyne

Some people are remarkable only for their accomplishments, awards, or their accolades. Others are remarkable not for what they achieve as much as what they overcome, and for the kind of person they are to everyone around them. Caralee Pyne was such a woman, a woman who faced so much adversity in her life, yet treated each of her days as a gift, a gift we're so grateful to have shared with her.

Caralee's story began on a cold February day in 1941, in the bustling city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Those were such anxious times in this country, the calm before the terrible storm of World War II, which changed our history forever. With so much of the globe already embroiled in conflict and dividing into Axis and Allies, America remained cautiously, anxiously, neutral. Yet in those anxious times, Eugene and Anna (Zaagman) Pyne found reason for celebration, with the birth of a beautiful little girl at Butterworth Hospital that February 26, a daughter they named Caralee.

Caralee was the third of four children in the Pyne's home, located on the northeast side of the city. Her father worked hard to provide for his family as a tool and die maker, while her mother stayed at home to care for the children, always putting their needs ahead of her own.

When Caralee was just four years old, she was playing on the swing one day and fell off, and sadly suffered severe head injuries, and her oxygen supply was cut off for a time. She survived the accident, though she was left with brain damage and limited mental capacities.

With so few options for children with special needs during those days, her parents became frustrated in trying to find her help. Undaunted, her mother started the Lincoln School in 1949, which was a school for kids and young adults like Caralee, whose special needs weren't being met anywhere else. Anna Pyne started it in the basement of her home, with the help of three other ladies. The school quickly grew, and they moved it to two other facilities before it was "officially" started on Crahen Street NE nearly two decades later.

The new school had an age limit of 27 for its students, which made Caralee and her brother Eugene too old to attend. So instead, her mother put her to work there, helping the younger kids as an aid. Caralee was thrilled. She loved the job, loved being around children, and especially loved helping others in any way she could.

Caralee was truly a loving, compassionate "people person," who had an uncanny knack for connecting with them; holding their hand and capturing their heart. She was just a sweet, gentle lady, who seemed to have a close relationship with everyone she met. Her big sister Margaret says Caralee was simply "a real good kid," with a child's limitless heart.

Caralee was a member of the Neland Avenue Christian Reformed Church, where she was so beloved by all her church family. Sundays were special for her, getting dressed up for church, followed by a trip out to eat (she loved going out to eat) at Bill Knapp's, her favorite restaurant. She called Knapp's "the place with the green doors," and could never pass up a slice of Knapp's lemon pie. Caralee had a sweet tooth as sweet as she was!

Caralee was just a woman with a great love for life, and the people that surrounded her. She loved going to the fishing tournaments that were held at Rogers Department Store every year, and once went on a thrilling hot-air balloon ride she enjoyed so much.

In 1992, after both her parents were gone, Caralee went to live with her sister Margaret at her home in Hastings. She deeply missed her parents, but loved living with her sister, especially in the summertime, when she could use the pool. Caralee wouldn't swim, but she enjoyed being in the water so much, and would just stand in the middle of the pool, keeping cool under the hot sun.

Caralee's sweet nature extended beyond the people around her, but also to the animals that crossed her path. She especially loved cats, and her favorite feline was a kitty named Hollie, who loved Caralee, too. Hollie would sleep on Caralee's chest at night, so warm and loved, just like everyone who was close to her.

Sadly, Caralee died on Monday, February 12, 2007.

Caralee was such a sweet, loving woman, so kind and compassionate to all those around her. She faced so much adversity in her life, yet lived each of her days as a triumph, and as a gift, a gift we are so grateful to have shared with her. She will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene Sr. and Margaret Anna Pyne and her sister Patti Jackowski. Caralee is survived by her brother Eugene Jr. and her sister Margaret Pyne; three nieces and one nephew. Caralee loved helping people and lived life as fully as she could. Friends and family may meet her family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Van Strien - Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield Ave. NE on Wednesday from 6-8 PM. The funeral service will follow at 8 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Arthritis Foundation would be appreciated. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to read Caralee's entire Life Story, share a memory or photo, or sign the guestbook.