Please use this section to share stories about Carol Kinney.
7 thoughts on “Stories”
When the extreme seriousness of Carol’s illness became apparent, she only had three final wishes. First, she didn’t want to live in pain. Second, she wanted to see all of her six children before she passed away. And third, she wanted to return home to the family farm.
Fortunately, the dedicated doctors and nurses at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula were able to effectively manage her pain. Most of her children were able to come quickly, but one son had recently had surgery on his back and wasn’t supposed to travel for weeks. After explaining the situation to his doctor, however, he was given permission to travel, thereby allowing all of her children to make it back to Missoula. Lastly, even though some doctors didn’t think she might even make the trip from the hospital to the farm, Carol was able to make her trip back home to the family farm.
Once she was home, Carol was able to lie in a hospital bed in front of the sliding glass window and watch the birds and pheasants in her garden. You could see the visible sense of relief she felt as soon as she was back home on the farm. Carol’s family took turns holding her hand, telling stories, and describing the rainy day weather outside. After about four hours, Carol passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones.
According to the Missoulian Newspaper, the day that she passed, November 21, 2012, was the second rainiest day on record in Missoula, Montana. Within minutes of her passing, however, the clouds broke above the farm. For a brief moment, the sun glistened on her plants and sunshine overwhelmed Carol’s garden. Between tears, all of Carol’s kids commented on what an amazing sign it was that Carol was in a better place. Minutes later, a herd of 14 deer (her favorite) walked by the house and jumped over the neighbor’s fence.
This story brought me to tears of joy, I truely believe this was Carol passing in peace, I’m so glad all of her children/ grand children made it to her and I know in my heart she held out to see them….she is that strong and incredible:’)
Here is a photograph showing Carol’s view immediately after she passed. The sun breaking through the rainy day was amazing and very comforting to her family.
Thanks Charles for posting this photo. It gives such a clear moment of peace. Carol was like a mom to so many of us. I learned how to be a better momma by watching her with my boy Carter, who became hers too, and by watching her dedication to to political and social causes she was so dedicated to.
the first thing Carol ever told me was that her email address, “carolsrainbow” was a reference to her “rainbow of children.” she went on to tell me all about them–from her younger son who was a “drama student in every sense of the word,” to her daughter, who, as a redhead, “was as big a handful as any boy.” the work she did on the campaign and in our community was not for herself, but for her rainbow. and so many others she loved as well.
every name that came up had a story behind it–Carol shared in more people’s joy and pain than i can even imagine. it was maddening at first. every volunteer and friend had a back story at least five minutes long, and stars help us if they had children of their own. over time, though, Carol taught me that the people we encounter–the stories shared with us, the reasons volunteers came to the campaign in the first place–are what make the hard work of campaigning worthwhile. she was a patient teacher. she never insisted on her own lessons and ideas. she let me find my own way, leading by example and gentle reminders, to the conclusion that empathy and personal connections not only win elections, but they nourish the soul, helping us grow. and with as big and open an heart as Carol had, she must have known this all her life.
i am so fortunate to have had her in my life, even for a short while. she is truly missed, and my thoughts are with her family.
Carol was the epitome of love and dedication. We worked together as peer Obama for America Neighborhood Team Leaders (me in Bozeman) and then under different circumstances when I became State Director of the Montana Obama for America campaign. She was always lively and devoted to her work and her team. I am so sorry that the letter from the President was not able to get to her before she passed.
I have so many fond memories it is hard to pick one to share. Most of my childhood memories involve my mom and Carol palling around. She was my mom’s best friend and our Godmother. I remember her as a hard working single mother who took good care of her kids. I remember her generosity, always helping others, including making Christmas treats and buying gifts for less fortunate families. Anyone lucky enough to know Carol loved her. She was always smiling and giving out hugs. I remember Carol and my mom loading up the Chevette and driving to the Oregon Coast and camping every summer. The Christmas party she had every year; we would all get dressed up and go Christmas caroling. Although we had lost touch over the years, we ran into each other last spring and all she could talk about was her kids and how proud she was all of you. She took time to share what each of you were doing and bragged about her grandchildren. I feel very lucky to have had her in my life.
When the extreme seriousness of Carol’s illness became apparent, she only had three final wishes. First, she didn’t want to live in pain. Second, she wanted to see all of her six children before she passed away. And third, she wanted to return home to the family farm.
Fortunately, the dedicated doctors and nurses at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula were able to effectively manage her pain. Most of her children were able to come quickly, but one son had recently had surgery on his back and wasn’t supposed to travel for weeks. After explaining the situation to his doctor, however, he was given permission to travel, thereby allowing all of her children to make it back to Missoula. Lastly, even though some doctors didn’t think she might even make the trip from the hospital to the farm, Carol was able to make her trip back home to the family farm.
Once she was home, Carol was able to lie in a hospital bed in front of the sliding glass window and watch the birds and pheasants in her garden. You could see the visible sense of relief she felt as soon as she was back home on the farm. Carol’s family took turns holding her hand, telling stories, and describing the rainy day weather outside. After about four hours, Carol passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones.
According to the Missoulian Newspaper, the day that she passed, November 21, 2012, was the second rainiest day on record in Missoula, Montana. Within minutes of her passing, however, the clouds broke above the farm. For a brief moment, the sun glistened on her plants and sunshine overwhelmed Carol’s garden. Between tears, all of Carol’s kids commented on what an amazing sign it was that Carol was in a better place. Minutes later, a herd of 14 deer (her favorite) walked by the house and jumped over the neighbor’s fence.
This story brought me to tears of joy, I truely believe this was Carol passing in peace, I’m so glad all of her children/ grand children made it to her and I know in my heart she held out to see them….she is that strong and incredible:’)
Here is a photograph showing Carol’s view immediately after she passed. The sun breaking through the rainy day was amazing and very comforting to her family.
Thanks Charles for posting this photo. It gives such a clear moment of peace. Carol was like a mom to so many of us. I learned how to be a better momma by watching her with my boy Carter, who became hers too, and by watching her dedication to to political and social causes she was so dedicated to.
the first thing Carol ever told me was that her email address, “carolsrainbow” was a reference to her “rainbow of children.” she went on to tell me all about them–from her younger son who was a “drama student in every sense of the word,” to her daughter, who, as a redhead, “was as big a handful as any boy.” the work she did on the campaign and in our community was not for herself, but for her rainbow. and so many others she loved as well.
every name that came up had a story behind it–Carol shared in more people’s joy and pain than i can even imagine. it was maddening at first. every volunteer and friend had a back story at least five minutes long, and stars help us if they had children of their own. over time, though, Carol taught me that the people we encounter–the stories shared with us, the reasons volunteers came to the campaign in the first place–are what make the hard work of campaigning worthwhile. she was a patient teacher. she never insisted on her own lessons and ideas. she let me find my own way, leading by example and gentle reminders, to the conclusion that empathy and personal connections not only win elections, but they nourish the soul, helping us grow. and with as big and open an heart as Carol had, she must have known this all her life.
i am so fortunate to have had her in my life, even for a short while. she is truly missed, and my thoughts are with her family.
Carol was the epitome of love and dedication. We worked together as peer Obama for America Neighborhood Team Leaders (me in Bozeman) and then under different circumstances when I became State Director of the Montana Obama for America campaign. She was always lively and devoted to her work and her team. I am so sorry that the letter from the President was not able to get to her before she passed.
I have so many fond memories it is hard to pick one to share. Most of my childhood memories involve my mom and Carol palling around. She was my mom’s best friend and our Godmother. I remember her as a hard working single mother who took good care of her kids. I remember her generosity, always helping others, including making Christmas treats and buying gifts for less fortunate families. Anyone lucky enough to know Carol loved her. She was always smiling and giving out hugs. I remember Carol and my mom loading up the Chevette and driving to the Oregon Coast and camping every summer. The Christmas party she had every year; we would all get dressed up and go Christmas caroling. Although we had lost touch over the years, we ran into each other last spring and all she could talk about was her kids and how proud she was all of you. She took time to share what each of you were doing and bragged about her grandchildren. I feel very lucky to have had her in my life.