Carol Anne Hoover

Carol Anne Hoover, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully at her residence in Carmel, Indiana, after a life centered on love, faith, and unwavering devotion to family.

The daughter of Edward and Amelia Seifert, Carol was born in Barberton, Ohio, the twelfth of thirteen children. As her father died when she was only three, Carol learned much from her mother about resilience, home management, and the value of a close-knit family.

She married Richard (Dick) Keim Hoover of Akron, Ohio in 1950. They shared 64 years of marriage until Dick’s death in 2014. Together they created a family that became Carol’s greatest joy and life’s purpose.

Carol and Dick made their home in New Castle, Indiana, where they raised their four children and became part of a close and caring community. Carol was involved in many clubs and organizations. In addition to being an active church member at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, she enjoyed membership in Tri Kappa, PEO, Gourmet Club, and many bridge clubs. Carol was always ready to entertain the many customers Dick brought home, and also hosted family, friends, and customers in their other homes in Batesville, Indiana, and Treasure Island, Florida, where they moved in 2002.

Carol’s cooking was legendary, as was her card playing. If you were playing Euchre or Bridge, you wanted Carol as your partner. She was an expert in Scrabble as well, and in her later years, jigsaw puzzling.

Carol was the heart of her family, and her happiest moments were when her family was together. She dedicated her life to creating spaces where everyone felt welcome, safe, and deeply loved. She was a master at creating memories and traditions, and holidays were treated as holy; her family still talks about her Thanksgiving mashed potatoes and Christmas cut-out cookies. After any dinner at Carol’s, someone would inevitably say, “Well, this was the best one ever.”

Carol’s creativity expressed itself in many ways. She was a talented seamstress, blessing her daughters with beautiful homemade clothing and costumes. When daughter Shelley began exploring quilt making, Carol sat by her side and guided her. When Debby went on a trip to Europe in high school, Carol made her entire wardrobe, including purses and other accessories to match each outfit. She loved being a creator – sewing, painting, making Christmas ornaments, designing home interiors, and so many other creative endeavors.

As her children watched their mother age, they learned much about aging with beauty and grace. In her later years, when many would have given up appearances in favor of comfort, Carol dressed herself as if she were going to host an event. She was beautiful until the end.

She is survived by three of her four children, Richard Hoover (Elizabeth), Shelley Newby (John), and David Hoover (Sharon), along with eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, all of whom carry forward her legacy of love. Carol was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard Keim Hoover, and her oldest, dynamic, and doting daughter, Deborah Carol Power, as well as Debby’s husband, Neil.

A private family service will be held. Carol will be laid to rest alongside her husband in New Castle, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice or to organizations supporting family and community care.

Carol Anne Hoover will be remembered for her quiet strength, her gentle spirit, and the love that defined her life and continues to live on in all who were blessed to know her.