Carol J. George

Carol George, 80, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2026, after a brief and courageous battle with cancer.

Carol was born on November 4, 1945, to Ronald and Evelyn Denkhaus. After a few years in Detroit, her family moved to a farmhouse on a hill in Parshallville, Michigan. She grew up doing whatever chores needed to be done. Though the family did not have much, those years helped shape Carol into the hardworking, self-sufficient, and resilient person she would become.

Carol met her future husband, Roy George, while they were in school in Hartland. He grew up on one side of the town’s only intersection, and she grew up on the other. After graduating from Hartland High School, Carol earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Michigan State University. She paid for her entire college education herself, living at MSU during the week and returning home on weekends to work for her tuition.

Carol and Roy married on August 10, 1968, and began building their life together. After a lot of patience, scrimping and saving, they built their home on 10 acres south of Fenton. They took great pride in their home, where Carol lived for 54 years, until just days before her passing.

Carol, or Red as so many called her, was a person you could count on. She was your biggest cheerleader, a great listener, and a supportive friend. She was always ready for an adventure and eager to share what she had. She was a loving wife who did hard things for those she loved, an educator devoted to her students, and a mother and grandmother who would do anything for her family. She loved her grandsons more than life itself.

Carol poured herself into her work as an art teacher where she taught for 34 years in the Walled Lake School District. Her daughter remembers her preparing art projects in the evenings and buying things for students who did not have enough: markers, food, winter coats, and boots. Carol could not stand to see a child go without.

In retirement, Carol and Roy enjoyed traveling together. They visited Alaska, Hawaii, France, Italy, Africa, Greece, Australia, and New Zealand. Carol loved telling people about their trips and recommending places they should see. Monet’s garden, Paris, and Africa were among her favorites. One item remained on her bucket list: seeing Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper in person. She also wanted to jump out of an airplane, though she decided that might not be the best idea in her late 70s!

Carol is survived by her children, Kellie (Daniel) Maletta and Christopher (Lisa) George; her beloved grandchildren, Benjamin and Charles Maletta; her sisters, Cathy Housner and MaryAnn McClure; her brother, Gerald Denkhaus and brother-in-law, Rich Shearer.. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who loved their Aunt Red, and by friends and former colleagues who became like family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy George; her best friend and mother, Evelyn Denkhaus; her father, Ronald Denkhaus; her brother, Ronald “Joe” Denkhaus; and her sister, Linda Paige.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026, at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 6841 Faussett Road, Howell, Michigan. The family will receive friends at the church from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial will follow the Mass, with a luncheon afterward in the church social hall.

The family is grateful to the nurses, caregivers, and aides who cared for Carol with love, respect, and compassion during her final months, especially her niece, Allie Preiss. They also offer heartfelt thanks to the dear friends who supported Carol and her family during this time, especially Carol Russek and Debbie Spinneweber.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations to Angela Hospice, which provided Carol with dignified, loving care, or to KIDS CARE. KIDS CARE holds a special place in Carol’s story: she was like a second mom to its co-founder, Amie Burke, helping to raise and love her throughout her childhood.

In honor of Carol’s years as an art teacher and her love of children and creativity, donations made to KIDS CARE in her memory will support acts of kindness that engage youth in the arts while giving back to vulnerable populations. Projects may include sidewalk chalk art, painted canvas bags filled with gifts for first responders, handmade kindness cards, and other creative acts of service.

The family hopes that Carol’s love, generosity, creativity, beautiful smile, and joyful laugh will continue to inspire kindness through the hands and hearts of children.

To make a donation to KIDS CARE “In Memory of Carol George,”  KIDS CARE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Marietta, Georgia. Its EIN is 83-3731816. https://kids-care2018.org/