Carole S Kurz

Carole was the second daughter born to Paul and Imelda Gilley in New Albany, Indiana.  Carole was a proud Hoosier growing up with her big sister, Joan, in southern Indiana.

After graduating from New Albany High School, Carole began working in Louisville, Kentucky.  She was set up on a blind date with Rich who was stationed at Fort Knox at the time.  After four years of dating, a year of which they were separated by Rich’s service in the Vietnam war, Carole and Rich got married in May of 1969 and moved to Connecticut. There they started their family, first with the birth of their son, Rich, Jr. and then their daughter, Cheri, two years later.

In 1979, the family moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Their “Welcome to Pennsylvania Gift” was the birth of their third child, Cathi. Carole was passionate about her family and enjoyed volunteering at her children’s schools, and with her love of history, enjoyed volunteering in the historical district in Philadelphia.  She was involved in Welcome Wagon and loved to spend time with her friends.  Carole was Rich, Jr, Cheri, and Cathi’s greatest (and loudest) cheerleader at their many sporting & school events.  She always showed great pride in their accomplishments…she gave her children strong family roots but also encouraged them to use their wings and fly!

And fly they did…Rich, Jr attended Notre Dame University, and all things Notre Dame, but especially football, became a passion for Carole!  She even got to go to Ireland to watch them play and wear her ND sweater!  Cheri attended college at Northwestern in Chicago and Carole enjoyed many trips there, especially to shop for formal dresses and /shoes!

Carole’s next adventure was a move to Plano, Texas in 1994.  Carole quickly sought opportunities to meet people and get involved.  She joined the local Newcomer’s Club where she met many of her amazing friends.  Carole loved to go to lunches, play cards, and Bunco with friends.  Cathi made the move to Plano with her mom and dad, where she graduated from Plano Sr. High and then attended Collin College.  Cathi is active in Special Olympics sports, and Carole was always her greatest fan!

Carole loved to throw a party and was often planning the next big event. She had a great passion for holidays and could often be seen in her extensive holiday attire.  Her house was always equally decked out for each holiday.  Carole loved to celebrate not only the holidays but any special moment for a family member or friend.

Carole was so excited to take on a new role in the fall of 2001. With the birth of her first grandchild, Carole became “MomMom”!  Andrew (‘01), Mary (‘03), and Thomas (‘08) had the great fortune to grow up just down the road from their MomMom in Plano, and they enjoyed her celebrations, cheers, and support while growing up.

A few years later her littlest grandchildren arrived.  Ellie (‘19), and twins Lucy and Josie (‘21) were born in Oregon.  She loved traveling to Oregon to visit the girls and especially loved to bake cookies with them.  When she couldn’t be close to them, she enjoyed being their best holiday clothes shopper & package sender!

Carole loved to travel.  She had the great opportunity to visit many states and countries throughout her life.  She loved to visit her homeland of Indiana to see her sister Joan.  Rich and Carole also enjoyed many years of trips to Spring Training for the Phillies in Florida.

We cannot tell the story of Carole without including her passion for the Philadelphia Eagles.  Even as she moved into Cowboy country, she maintained her allegiance to the Eagles, finding great friends and comradery at the “Eagles Nest” in Plano where she enjoyed watching games with fellow fans, culminating in a 2025 Superbowl win just weeks ago!   We are praying that her Eagle’s wings have now become angel ones!

Carole’s great legacy will be the love that she showered her friends and family with each day.  Whether she was related to you or chose you to be part of her extended family, she cherished us all and taught us to love life to the fullest and have faith that the best is yet to come!

She is survived by her loving husband of almost 56 years Rich Kurz; children Rich Kurz, Jr., Cheri Gazda and her husband Charles and Cathi Kurz; grandchildren Ellie, Lucy and Josie Kurz and Andrew, Mary and Thomas Gazda; sister Joan Gilley.

The family will receive friends for a visitation from 6:00-7:30 p.m., with a rosary to follow beginning at 7:30 p.m., Monday, March 10, 2025, at Allen Family Funeral Options.

There will be a mass to celebrate Carole’s life at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, officiated by Rev. Bruce Bradley.  If you wish to join the mass via webcast, please visit: https://youtube.com/live/t7tvM6tq5fk?feature=share

There will be a reception at the church immediately following the mass.

If desired and in lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Carole's name to the Special Olympics of Texas at: https://support.specialolympics.org/