Carole Jane Ligienza
January 11, 1942 – December 12, 2023
Carole Ligienza was born on Jan 11, 1942, in Atlanta, GA and was raised in Southern California for most of her childhood.
As the automotive industry grew, her family moved to Michigan where she attended Wayne State University in Detroit and became social chairman of her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. It was there that Carole met the love of her life, Phil, at a sorority/fraternity party.
On June 22, 1963, Carole and Phil married and purchased their first home in Westland, Michigan with dreams of starting a family. They had three children, Debbie, Darlene, and Brian. While Phil worked at Cadillac, Carole stayed home to love, nurture, and care for her children. When they were school age, Carole got her real estate license and began working for Century 21.
In 1974, Phil and Carole moved into a home they had built in Sterling Heights. It took Carole no time to make social connections as she had a way of making strangers into life-long friends. Carole was a member of St Rene Catholic church where she served on the parish council. She helped with Brownies/Girl Scouts and was active in the Macomb County Right to Life.
An avid historian, Carole compiled her family genealogy, was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a Civil War buff, and loved to tour historic homes. She also enjoyed reading, hosting bridge parties, attending theater productions, and playing games with family. She was particularly fond of playing Scrabble and if you wanted to win, you had to earn it, there were no freebies.
Carole was the first mate to Phil on their sailboat. The family had many wonderful sailing adventures on the Great Lakes of Michigan. Later, in Florida, Carole and Phil would cruise the oceans of the world visiting ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, British Isles, and the Mediterranean to name a few.
They preferred warm weather to cold. After snow birding from Michigan to Florida for several years, they eventually said goodbye to Michigan and moved into a charming community called “The Plantation” in Leesburg, FL. Carole plugged right into the community in Belle Terre and joined the St. Paul’s Catholic Church, communion ministry, the Council of Catholic Women (CCW), Lake County Republican Party executive committee, Red Hat Ladies, and the Iota Beta Sorority.
Carole was most passionate about her family and faith. She delighted in seeing her children marry and have children of their own. Phil and Carole have six grandchildren and a great granddaughter. Carole and Phil remained devoted to each other and celebrated their 60th anniversary earlier this year where they renewed their vows. Carole would say that was truly blessed.
While Carole now rests in the arms of our Lord, the joy, laughter, smiles, and fond memories she shared with her husband, family, friends, church, and the community will live on as her legacy… a legacy of love for those blessed to know her.
Carole was preceded in death by her parents Jack and Jane Redding, sister, Connie Wilson, and brother, Jaxon Redding.
She is survived by her loving husband, Phillip Ligienza, Children: Debra (Aaron) Mead, Darlene (John) Domsic, and Brian (Alicia) Ligienza, Grandchildren: Daniel (Vanessa) Mead, Joseph Mead, Joel Domsic, Rachel Domsic, Thomas Domsic, and Christian Ligienza, and Great Grandchild: Mabel Mead.
