Carolyn Ruth Hoyt,  81 years old, passed away on February 10, 2015, from complications of Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Carolyn was born on December 31, 1933 in Mayfield, Kentucky to Gamble Prince and Beulah Jane Hughes. She moved to Indianapolis in 1963 from Ames, Iowa with her husband Charles E. Summers. Carolyn was a full time Mom when her children were young, then worked as a Relocation Coordinator for Carriage Estates, Graves and F.C. Tucker Company for many years before retiring in 2008 at the age of 75. She is preceded in death by her parents, 2 year old brother Fred Wesley Hughes, first husband Charles E. Summers, and second husband Donald W. Hoyt, .

Carolyn is survived by her children, Kathy Summers, (Robert Hudgins), Michael (Susan) Summers, and Tracy Summers Hess, grandchildren, Michael (Heather) Meyer, Carter Hess, Robert Hudgins, Alexandra Hudgins, Caroline Hess, Christina Hess and Charles Hess, and two great-grandchildren, Archer and Chloe Meyer.

Carolyn was a devoted and loving Mother, Grandmother and friend. She will be lovingly remembered by her family for the beautiful quilts she made, the family reunion vacations in Florida that she organized each year, and the many family gatherings she hosted. She had a gracious, kind and compassionate spirit, and was truly a humble servant of the Lord. Carolyn loved nothing more than spending time with her children and grandchildren. Some of our fondest memories of Mom are spending time at her vacation condos in Daytona Beach, where we met together every summer for 15 years.

Carolyn was a very active member of Epworth United Methodist Church for 51 years. She sang in the choir, played bells, was a Stephen Minister who provided emotional support to those in need, an usher, and served on numerous committees. Carolyn was a woman of deep and abiding faith, and has reminded us on numerous occasions that she will wait for us in heaven, until we can be with her again.

She absolutely loved music and the theater. Carolyn was a singer from a young age and singing in the church choir was a joy for her. She loved her friends in choir and was sad when she felt she could no longer sing with them.  She always talked about her pizza night out with “the girls” after choir rehearsal and how much fun she had. Carolyn was an active member of the Carmel Symphony Orchestra League and held many offices within the organization over the years, including President of the CSO League in 2012.  She also was a volunteer at The Palladium in Carmel, and loved attending many musical and theater events there. She especially loved the music of the 1940s that she listened to as a girl.

In addition to her family, her other grand passion in life was sewing and quilting. She was a member of the Sewing Guild and enjoyed sharing ideas and tips with the other members. As a young Mother, she made many of her own clothes as well as clothes for her children. She took up quilting about 20 years ago and has made numerous baby quilts for her grandchildren as well as many beautiful quilts for the rest of the family. She made a fabulous quilt commemorating the 9-11 tragedy, and has shared with Epworth Methodist Church a stunning highly embroidered art quilt called “The Ascension”, denoting the ascension of Jesus Christ after the Resurrection. We plan to display both at her Memorial Service.

The family would like to thank Dr. Birhiray, Linda, the staff at Hematology Oncology of Indiana, and the staff at the short stay unit at St. Vincent Carmel Hospital for all the care they provided to our Mom. She truly loved all of you and actually looked forward to her treatments so that she could see and talk to you all. You are all wonderful, dedicated, caring nurses, phlebotomists, medical assistants and staff.

Services will be held on Saturday February 21, 2015 at noon at Epworth United Methodist Church, 6450 Allisonville Road, with visitation prior to the service from 10:00 am- 12:00. Interment will be at Oaklawn Memorial Garden, the Good Shepherd Chapel, following the service. Commitment service will be held at the Cemetery. All are welcome to attend a Luncheon at Epworth United Methodist Church, following the interment.

Arrangements are being handled by Indiana Funeral Care and Crematory/Harry W. Moore. In lieu of flowers, Carolyn requested that memorial contributions be made to Epworth United Methodist Church Building Fund.

The Broken Chain

We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name,

In life we loved you dearly,in death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone.

For part of us went with you, the day God called you home

   You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide

     And though we cannot see you, you are always at our side.

       Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same,

      But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again