M. Carolyn Riley Blomquist

AGE: 78 • Prices Corner

Carolyn was born January 1, 1939. She died peacefully on March 14, 2017 after an extended illness. Her parents were Austin C. and Myrtle J. Riley. She was born on her mother's birthday and named for her. However, according to her mother's wishes, she was known by her middle name and was called Carolyn throughout her life.

Her spiritual belief was with the teachings of The Old Apostolic Lutheran Church; she strived diligently to hold fast to this most precious faith until the end. Carolyn's greatest joy in life, after her love for God, was time spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There are many happy memories of picnics, trips, beach excursions and family gatherings. She especially loved to hear her children laugh out loud with happiness and joy.

Her second love was for her chosen career of professional nursing, to which she devoted more than forty years, most of them spent in the Emergency Department of Christiana Care. Some of her friends will remember her by her nick-name "Dee". She cherished the many friends she met and worked with along the way.

In addition to her parents, Carolyn was predeceased by her husband Edwin and her beloved son Wayne Ronald as well as her brothers Donald, Norwood, George and James. Her survivors include three daughters, Dotti Jennings and husband Bill, Marnie Nathanson and husband Phil, Richelle Bisson and husband Bret; and her sons, Ellis Jeffrey and Jeremy Brian Blomquist; along with sisters Jeanette Clifton, Marian Marlin, Betty Lou Hall and brothers John Riley and Paul Riley.

Carolyn has fifteen grandchildren, born of her children and four great-grandchildren. She also has many loving nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as several step-grandchildren. She also felt blessed to have known and loved her seven Blomquist step-children. Carolyn would like to be remembered as one with caring and compassion for her fellow man. Her true legacy, however, lives on with her children and their families and the love they share. She asks for prayers on their behalf, to keep them spiritually safe, healthy and happy.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, 2038 Pleasant Valley Road, Newark, Delaware 19702 where visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Gracelawn Memorial Park.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. David S. Grubbs and Staff and to Delaware Hospice in New Castle County for their wonderful compassionate care of Carolyn during her illness. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Carolyn's memory can be made to Delaware Hospice, 16 Polly Drummond Center, 2nd Floor, Polly Drummond Shopping Center, Newark, DE 19711.

To send an online condolence visit www.nicholsgilmore.com