Carole Bartus

Carole Bartus lived a full life as a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. A hard worker and a caring nurturer, she enjoyed spending time with her family. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her loved ones and members of her faith community.

Reflecting on the year 1938, the nation was easing out of the Great Depression. In the entertainment business, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs held its Hollywood premiere. Carole was welcomed home on November 23rd in Detroit, Michigan. Her birth brought great joy to her loving parents.

Carole lived a happy childhood on the east side of the city at Parkside. Cute as a button, as a baby, Carole won three separate baby contests in the city of Hamtramck! She had many lasting memories of her childhood friends from the neighborhood. After her father died when she was the tender age of twelve years old, Carole, her mother and sister, Lorraine, moved to a new home on Guilford and also welcomed their dog, Mugsy, who learned to play the piano. Auntie Dorothy always played an important part in their lives. During her teen years, Carole was very active in school programs and sports. She was a proud member of the Glee Club as well as playing both girls’ basketball and volleyball at Southeastern High School in Detroit. Ambitious and excited to make her way in the world, she worked for the City of Detroit offices on Randolph Street after high school graduation.

During Carole’s time working, she met the man who would steal her heart forever, Thomas Bartus. The two of them would often take their lunch hours together at restaurants downtown Detroit, and other dates together including outings to Belle Isle. Eager to start their lives together, they married in 1957 roughly a year after they met. Romantic and deeply in love, the newlyweds took a two-week honeymoon to Niagara Falls, New York, with other stops along the east coast. They saved up to purchase their first home on the westside of Detroit on Braile Street where they later welcomed home four wonderful children; Laura, Christine, Mark, and Phil and remained there the next 40 years, enjoying close friendships with many neighbors. Carole and Tom moved to Livonia following retirement.

Carole cherished her role as a mother and left her work to be a stay-at-home mom. Although Carole never drove, it never stopped her. She walked everywhere from school to shopping trips which were often long journeys when taking her children. Active and on the go, she participated in the PTA, made hot lunches daily for her children from school, and sometimes helped in the school lunchroom, packing lunches with homemade treats! Easy-going and social by nature, Carole knew all the teachers in the elementary school! The kids grew accustomed to her dressing them up in their trendy and spiffy clothes for both school and church. She taught her kids the value of a personal relationship with God and instilled in them the fundamental beliefs of the Catholic faith. Teaching them responsibility was important to her as well. She kept an organized home and had a schedule for the kids to help dust and vacuum often to music on LP or 33 records. Music remained a very important sound in the home. Carole wanted nothing more than to share in their every success, supporting their interests and teaching them to always be grateful and kind. She put every ounce of energy into raising her kids to be good people and was blessed to see them all flourish in their adult lives. Her heart was content knowing they were both happy and healthy. Carole and Thomas shared a beautiful marriage. They enjoyed hosting large family parties and looked forward to getting together with their work friends from the City of Detroit. They enjoyed many opportunities to get together and share stories and laughter. Many years ago, while ice skating outdoors, a group of them posed for the front page of a local Detroit magazine! They also enjoyed playing Pinochle and going out dancing. There was never a dull moment with the two of them!

Along with Carole and her sister, Lorraine, raising families, their mother remarried, Steve, and welcomed brother- Stevie, and sister- Julie. Close-knit with her own family, some Sundays and Holidays, Carole looked forward to playing games and having dinner at her mother’s home with the rest of the family. Carole had very special relationships with cousins- Johnny and Kathy & Betsy-both like sisters to her. A favorite pastime was loading up in her Aunt Dorothy’s car and heading to the local garage sales to bargain shop! There was no telling what Carole would bring home, but she always put her treasures to good use! Carole shared her garage sale passion with several friends, who would enjoy lunches, shopping and hunting for treasures, every week for years. Back in the 1960s, she took some crafting classes which led to a passion for crafting and selling her creations for many decades! Bowling was another pastime that filled her social calendar! Exceptionally good at the sport, she played in her Roadrunners league for many years. Carole was often the best friend of pets: Sparky, Scruffy and Fluffy. For relaxation, she loved taking road trips up north, to Florida, Las Vegas, Arizona, and Kentucky. On most of these trips, she also enjoyed stopping at the local casinos. Win or lose, Carole loved the thrill of a little gambling and good fun!

As much as she treasured her years as a mom, Carole was over the moon when she became a grandma to twins- Stephan and Joseph. She had longed for these years and looked forward to family visits. She was always interested in shopping for her grandchildren, sharing her love of cooking and cherished the years of babysitting time. Her wisdom over the years will surely be their guide in the years to come. Blessed with an abundant family and the love of many special friends, Carole had a real knack for connecting with others and making everyone feel special in her presence. May her many special loved ones be comforted in knowing that she loved each and every one of them with her whole heart.

Carole Bartus, of Livonia, passed away July 21, 2022, at the age of 83. She was born November 23, 1938, to Albin and Mary Makowski. Beloved wife of the late Thomas. Loving mother of Laura (Jim) Broderick, Christine (Paul) Nguyen, Mark, and Phil (Ester Dimayuga). Cherished grandmother of Stephan (Devon) Broderick and Joseph (Paige) Broderick. Dear sister of Lorraine (John) Bergler, Steve (Dawn) Cizmas, and Julie (Keith) Sisson.

Visitation Friday, July 29, 2022, from 1-8 pm with a Rosary at 7 pm at Neely-Turowski Funeral Home, 30200 Five Mile Rd., Livonia, Michigan 48154. Instate Saturday, July 30, 2022, from 9:30 am until the time of Mass at 10 am at St. Priscilla Catholic Church, 19120 Purlingbrook St., Livonia, Michigan 48152. Interment at Glen Eden Memorial Park, Livonia, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Heart Association.