Carol Pack Feddock (Mom), passed away the 12th day of October at the age of 87 with family at her bedside. Born on November 30th, 1935, she was the sixth of DeVar and Irma (Crockett) Pack’s seven children. Although her first and last few years were spent in Utah, Mom lived the majority of her life in California. She was born as the country was recovering from the Great Depression and developed resilience as she adapted to challenging circumstances which included her father having a major stroke when she was only 12. As a child she had a paper route and took great pride in getting up early, putting together the papers and putting them neatly on the porch of each of her customers. Her great pride --as well as the paper route-- ended when she overheard someone refer to her as a “girl paper boy”.
Mom married Michael Feddock (Dad) in Burbank, California on July 27, 1957. She loved being a wife and mother and was devoted to her role as homemaker. She was a strong supporter of her husband and children. She was persistent in finding solutions to resolve minor health challenges in her children and wasn’t afraid of the hard work involved in the process. She was a staunch supporter of healthy food choices, opting to grind her own wheat for school-lunch sandwiches despite the emergence of the wildly popular and ease of pre-sliced white Wonder Bread.
Mom and Dad recognized a need in their family to provide positive work experiences for their children. They bought a “first photo” business which she ran, providing beautiful newborn pictures to new mothers in local hospitals. Mom took it upon herself to learn film development when photos were only printed in dark rooms- no digital photography. She taught her children to work in the business which gave them experience, employment and spending money.
Her home was a boisterous hub of activity. She enjoyed her children’s friends and many of them continued to visit her when in town (and some even called her mom.)
She was happiest surrounded by family in the living room visiting or in her bedroom (the family TV room). Countless evenings were spent with family and friends in her and Dad’s bedroom watching movies and eating ice cream while she completed the photography orders to deliver the next day.
Mom embraced the traditions Dad brought from his Slavic heritage and would set out dyes, wax and tools to create beautiful eggs for Easter. Each Christmas she prepared an extensive twelve course Czech Christmas Eve Dinner and she passed the tradition and knowledge on to her children and grandchildren.
Mom’s devotion to her children extended to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren attending music concerts, sporting events, church talks, etc. She encouraged them all in their hobbies and skills and praised them for their accomplishments.
Mom also created space for her children to learn and experience the gospel of Jesus Christ in her home, providing an example of service and leadership in the Church. She served in many volunteer positions at her church including Young Women’s president, teacher, librarian, and Relief Society home visit administrator for several hundred women.
Mom and Mike stepped away from work, children, grandchildren and their home when they left for an 18-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the New York, Utica mission. They loved their experiences and made many friends as they strengthened their relationship with each other and with their Savior, Jesus Christ. While there, she had a bad fall down a flight of stairs that affected her health for many years afterwards.
Mom was heartbroken when Mike passed away on December 16th, 2014. Their once big, beautiful home filled with children and grandchildren laughing and playing games was now quiet. The children had grown and grandchildren were becoming adults and life was moving on.
In her final years, Mom developed vascular dementia and would struggle to find the intellect she had depended on and been proud of her entire life. Despite her inability to remember the names of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, they continued to remember her and would re-introduce themselves in frequent visits. Once again, they would share talents and hobbies, great-grandchildren’s art and their love but this time performing for a solo audience, who, despite the ability to remember the artist or performer, would lavish praise and appreciation just as she had done so many years ago.
Mom was preceded in death by all but one of her siblings and by her eternal companion, Mike. She is survived by her favorite sister, Irma Jean Pack, her 5 children Michael (Laurel) Feddock, Catherine (Andrew) Miller, Karen (Kurt) Wiest, John (Nicole) Feddock and JulieAnn Feddock as well as 11 grandchildren Breanne (Alex) Christensen, Michael Feddock, Amanda (Jared) Hansen, Michelle Miller, Jacqueline (Kendall) Nelson, Rebecca (Brice) Wilson, Erin (Joey) Hamilton, Andrea (Max) Kenworthy, Jenae (Matthew) Hobbins, Jaden (Madeleine) Feddock, Jackson Feddock, and 22 great grandchildren: Chloe and Fiona Hansen; Joshua, Jacob, Rianna, and Joseph Ogden; Gordon, Walter and Henry Nelson; Brice IV, Brooklyn, and Bailey Wilson; Jane Hamilton: Madelyn, Eli, Noah and Charlotte Kenworthy; James, Scarlett and Luke Hobbins; Carter and Rhett Feddock.
We remember the past with great fondness and look to the future with hope and happiness. However, we cannot help but feel saddened by the loss of our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. We are certain that our dad couldn’t wait to greet her and know he is excited to have her by his side once again.
