Carole Lee Demers (née Mitchell)

Born in Windsor, Ontario

Life and love exist on both sides of eternity.

Carole Lee Demers lived a life shaped by love—love given freely, love carried faithfully, love that does not end. That love continues now, held close by her husband of 62 years, Raymond; her children (and cherished grandchildren): Tamara (Cameron and Greg); and Troy (Noah and Brooke). We remember Carole with gratitude for the countless ways she loved each of us into being.

Carole married her high school sweetheart and lifelong partner, Raymond, and together they answered the call of service and embraced the adventure of military life. With grace and quiet strength, she made homes in many places—Chatham, New Brunswick; St-Hubert, Quebec; Ottawa, Ontario; Baden and Geilenkirchen, Germany; Borden, Ontario—and finally returned to Ottawa, where roots grew deep once more. In every place, friendships formed easily and endured across decades, marked by loyalty, shared stories, and joyful reunions.

In her professional life as an executive assistant, Carole served with care and excellence. She was an Olympic shorthand writer, a record-breaking typist, and a gifted event coordinator offering her gifts as a form of service to others and ensuring people felt supported and valued.

Carole’s generosity extended well beyond her work. She volunteered with the local swim club, established a tuck shop at a nearby retirement home, and offered the simple, powerful gift of reading to those with vision challenges. Known for her elegance and sense of occasion, Carole had a way of turning the ordinary into something special. Even garbage day carried its own quiet ceremony, announced by the familiar click, click, click of her heels along the driveway. Her collection of gardening gloves matched that of her shoes.

Her life was defined by hospitality, loyalty, kindness, love, and connection.

Carole remained an inspiring presence through the progression of her Alzheimer’s diagnosis. She continued to love to dance, to sing, and to engage fully in the life of memory care. Joy lived in her—soft and steady. As words became fewer, her spirit spoke clearly through direct eye contact, warm embraces, and a tenderness that needed no translation. She offered the world the essence of who she had always been: a committed wife, devoted mother and grandmother, a loyal friend, a loving woman, and a resident deeply grateful for the caregivers and staff at Rosepark Retirement Community and Queensway Carleton Hospital who walked alongside her.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Carole’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, or you are invited to plant something that will blossom and grow—living beauty in honour of a life so lovingly lived.

Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held in the Sacred Space at Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery, and Cremation Services, Ottawa and Interment will take place amongst the blooms she loved so much. Details will be shared in the coming months.