Etching a Legacy: Carolyn Reichert lives a life full of passion, devotion, and love for God and family

Carolyn Reichert has had a very successful life in many ways. From her 40-plus years in education to her raising two sons while being a devoted wife of 58 years, she has lived the type of life everyone should strive to live. Plus, she is a great friend and an uber-involved individual in church and the community, and anyone who knows her is glad they do.

“She’s talented,” Carolyn’s son Doug said. “Mom has a great voice, singing in choirs; and she takes on new things – golf, shuffleboard and running – without being hesitant. She also had a successful career.”

She has endured a lot in life as well. From losing her father during early motherhood to moving 12 times throughout her boys’ upbringing, life has thrown her many curveballs just like everyone else, but she can endure anything with ease. Carolyn has a great head on her shoulders, and she is always looking at the glass as half full.

She also believes she is getting wiser as time goes on, and her sons tend to agree.

“Getting old isn’t for wimps,” Doug said. “You’re real old and no wimp!”

Carolyn is turning 80 years young, and she does not look a day over 50. She keeps herself young and spry, and she is always smiling and singing. She can be clumsy at times (hence her nickname Zelda Gluck), but at the same time she is always having fun in life.

She is a conservative Christian woman as well, and that is a huge part of who she is. You can tell by the way she talks and lives her life with joy that there is something about her that just stands out and makes her different.

Of course, everyone in her life loves Carolyn for who she is as well. She is there for her family above everything else, and her life advice is second to none.

“We respect her for who she is, and for her accomplishments, et cetera,” Doug said on behalf of himself and Jeff. “We are proud to be her sons. She’s been there for me during difficult times – the loss of a child; divorce.”

Just like their mother, Doug and Jeff have endured a lot in life, but thanks to their mother’s role modeling abilities, they have gotten through it all. Her being just a phone call away certainly helps in any situation good or bad, and they just appreciate her.

Speaking of Jeff and Doug, they certainly always kept their mother on her toes. But somehow, she was always there to prevent anything from escalating too much… although sometimes things did get a little out of hand.

“I remember her trying to break up a fight and discipline me and my brother; she fell into a nasty slush puddle in Buffalo and hurt herself… not seriously though! Mom fell in saying, ‘You fresh kids,’” Doug said.

Jeff and Doug may have always roughhoused and been a pain in their mother’s side, but they both appreciate the love she had for them no matter what. It is a love they still experience today, and it is a love they try to reciprocate in their own families.

“She had a great tough-loving manner and temperament for two hyperactive, competitive, boys who are only 2 years apart. There were lots of fights! She tried hard to discipline while Dad worked a lot.

“She instilled core values of faith, family, loyalty and striving for achievement. She was an educator. She made a lot of sacrifices for family. She didn’t complain. Despite all the moves, the family unit was strong. She made an effort to keep us connected to her side of the family.”

There is a lot to unpack here, but the important thing is Carolyn is as selfless as can be. She has always put herself last in every situation, and she has instilled a lot of strong morals and values into her boys and into others. She is certainly someone you want to look up to and learn from, and Doug and Jeff are grateful to have their mother for so many reasons.

She understands the business stuff related to Doug’s career, and has stuck by Jeff’s side through many hardships. She has a strong bond with her grandson Grant as well, and she is beloved by Payton and her birthday twin Nathan. The family knows Kendall is always looking down at her grandmother with a smile on her face as well.

Carolyn is very much a wonderful mother and grandmother, and she is a tremendous wife as well. Dave is her college sweetheart whom she met at Gettysburg College, and they have been together ever since. Carolyn stood by Dave during countless deployments and moves, and she has just always shown him ample love.

 She is there for every single one of her loved ones in every capacity, and they all know she is the best of the best. She cares about people, and goes out of her way to be there, and you can truly count on Carolyn for anything.

“We admire her being a supportive wife. And being a tough and resilient wife/mother through all the moving and other family dynamics. Always keeping family values intact. She is loving but stern at times, which is great for two very active boys…”

She is a great conversationalist too, as she is social but not fake. She is loyal and supportive to her friends, especially her besties – her sister Chris, as well as her old teaching pal, Heidi Sankes. She’s a strong, independent woman who is high on emotional intelligence.

She is comfortable in herself too. Carolyn is not afraid to be who she is and to live her life the way she wants to live it. And the way she wants to live it is by being there for others and always looking out for what is best for everyone in her life.

“She’s a very social person, but not a butterfly,” her family mentioned. “She is 5-foot-11, tall, blonde and very pretty. She’s loving but not a helicopter mom. She has traditional values and is a devout Christian. She is loving and supportive of her two kids, loyal to her husband, and puts up with a lot of crap… She can be a take-charge type, but is a softy at heart.”

Oh yeah, there is one other thing that really stands out.

“She’s low maintenance, which is a part of her,” the family said.

At the end of the day, everyone all just loves Carolyn so much. They love her dedication to her faith and devotion to her family. She loves God and she loves all the people around her, and she is truly an irreplaceable part of many people’s lives.

She is leaving behind such a legacy full of good times, love and strong values, and there are a lot of people who really are not sure what they would do without Carolyn Reichert.

“We love you. You are the glue of the family. She’s not high maintenance and doesn’t require a lot, but on her 80th deserves so much love, adoration, respect and acknowledgement of her life’s work achievements, family, and so much more. She’s healthy, happy and active. God willing, there are many, many more years in her future to live the Golden years to the fullest, building more memories, loving and relaxing.” – Carolyn’s loving family