Carolyn Daigneau

The world became much poorer with the passing of Carolyn Vera Daigneau on February 16, 2023, at the age of 76 years young. The daughter of James Moyer and Thelma Stump (preceding her in death), sister to Sandra Ahrendt, loving wife of William A. Daigneau, devoted mother of Julie Lynn Allen, Emily Joann Daigneau and Elizabeth Leona Daigneau, and “Nana” to seven grandchildren, she was born and raised in Lakewood, Ohio, where she graduated from Lakewood High School.

While attending Fairview Hospital School of Nursing, where she earned her diploma to become a registered nurse, she met her future husband whom she married at St. Mel Catholic Church, in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1969. Over the next 54 years together, they built a family and moved all across the country. A self-proclaimed “city girl,” Carolyn learned to ski and camped all over the West with her husband and three girls. She hiked Longs Peak, a named fourteener in Colorado, and did it wearing the most stylish pair of sunglasses. Carolyn had the best sense of humor—self-deprecating and sharp. She was brave and adventurous. She would call swimming “staying alive in the water,” but at the same time, she would jump off a cliff and into the water 20-feet below. Never daunted by a challenge, she became an excellent cook, taught herself how to sew and knit, canned fruits and vegetables, developed a green thumb, and provided a beautiful and secure home filled with love and laughter.

In addition to raising a family, she pursued her lifelong dream as a professional nurse. In 1987, she earned her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Northern Colorado, followed by her Master’s degree in nursing at the University of Rochester. She loved kids, babysitting all through her youth and then dedicating the rest of her life to taking care of them. She worked her entire career in pediatrics, including neonatal ICU, children’s burn unit, school and public health nursing, and eventually as a clinical nurse practitioner at the Baylor College of Medicine and The University of Texas Health Science Center, specializing in pediatric gastroenterology. Considered an expert in the field of pediatric nursing, she authored, reviewed, and edited chapters in several professional nursing Journals. She served as an officer and member of the Board of The American Association of Nurse Practitioners. A friend and colleague recently told her, “This world is a much better place for having you in it and your many patients would agree!”

Another friend remembers her always singing and dancing around. There was not a song lyric she didn’t know. Carolyn always joked that she could forget what she had for breakfast that morning, but still remember every word to a Rolling Stones or James Taylor or Barbara Streisand song.

She loved to read and instilled that love in her daughters and grandchildren. Carolyn was beautiful, strong and funny, and will be so deeply missed by her family and friends.

Honoring her wishes, no immediate services will be held. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests donations be given in her name to Catholic Charities.