Carolyn Lee Jeffery

Carolyn Lee (Swartz) Jeffery, 81, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at the Grand Traverse Pavilions in Traverse City, Michigan. Daughter of Clifford and Verma (Dowless) Swartz, she was born on February 3, 1943, in Flint, Michigan, and grew up in Flint and Royal Oak. She attended Kimball High School where she was a cheerleader. After graduation in 1961, she was employed as a secretary at Burroughs Corporation in Detroit. Carolyn was deeply cherished as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, cousin, and dear friend to those who knew her. On December 29, 1962, she married her high-school sweetheart Kenneth Jeffery. The couple lived in Wadena, Minnesota, during Ken’s tour of duty in the United States Air Force. They raised four children—Karen Maas (Stephen), Laura Chipman (Timothy), James Jeffery (Rebecca), and Amy Mack (Martin). The family resided in Warren, Alpena, Midland, Traverse City, and Cedar, Michigan, moving in step with Ken’s work life. In Alpena, Carolyn and a friend co-founded the Sunshine Club to make the world a brighter place. While living in Midland, Carolyn was known as the “Art Lady” at her children’s elementary school. She shared a variety of artwork with students in all the classrooms. She loved art of all forms. She was a painter, poet, and sculptor. She made paintings and wrote poetry for her grandchildren when they were born. She was known for her “eagle eye” in interior décor. Each of her homes reflected her sense of color, texture, and style—places of comfort and joy. Her son, Jim, remembers days spent at home with Mom in Midland when his dad and sisters were at work and school. Sitting by the front picture window facing a church parking lot, they imagined a carnival, picturing their favorite ride “The Scrambler.” It was a source of conversation for many years. Carolyn loved shopping, enjoying trips to Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Chicago with her daughters. She also had a passion for music. She played the guitar, hosted many sing-a-long parties, and always filled her home with music. She held a special place in her heart for Neil Diamond. Upon moving to their home in Traverse City, Carolyn’s kindness and sense of what’s right led her to support the Emergency Lodge, when its presence in the neighborhood was unpopular. A “people person” with a great sense of humor, she made friends easily. She hosted yearly west side Christmas caroling parties and was a member of the Chit-Chat group with her friends. She owned two antique shops and worked as an interior decorator. Always involved in the community, she volunteered her time and talents to many charities. Her passion for entertaining was well known. After a move to Cedar, Carolyn initiated the Christmas tree lighting, parade, and caroling parties enjoyed by family, friends, and neighbors. For 32 years, Carolyn and Ken hosted “Autumn Color Tour,” an event centered on family: first, a simple lunch, then a caravan of vehicles touring Leelanau County, stops at local shops, and a potluck dinner and bonfire on their property. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Ken, her sister Eileen (Charlie) Eggert, and her granddaughter Anna Lynn Maas. She is survived by her children, 10 grandchildren—Jake, Kate, Nicole, Rachel, Jessi, Justine, Ben, Harry, Lily, and Henry—and 13 great-grandchildren. A memorial celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 3 p.m. with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 6th Street, Traverse City, Michigan. Refreshments to follow. Memorial contributions can be directed to Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse, a non-profit serving the needs of the homeless population, 517 Wellington Street, Traverse City, Michigan 49686. Link: https://www.gtsafeharbor.org

Carolyn Lee Jeffery

February 3, 1943 - January 16, 2025