Brisk, sun-splashed walk to remember Carol

Ann Christ, Carol's mother, and Kathryn Drexler at left joined Bob Brodbeck in welcoming walkers

At left are Fr. Ralph Thomas and Bob with 4-year-old Lizzie Strader and Addie Smith, Bob'/s great-nieces. Bob's brother-in-law is at right with his grandsons Owen and Everitt Norton.

Ninety men, women and children enjoyed a brisk walk Saturday morning on a sun-splashed day at Coventry Oaks Pavilion off St. Main Street. Another dozen stayed inside. It was the sixth annual walk in memory of Carol A. Brodbeck RN, our parishioner, friend and nurse who touched many lives throughout the community.

The Carol A. Brodbeck Memorial Fund has awarded five scholarships to worthy students made possible by the kindness of Carol’s friends, colleagues and fellow parishioners. The scholarship fund is in place at the University of Akron School of Nursing to fund future generations of nurses. Checks may be made payable to the University of Akron Foundation.

Many of the walkers were from St. Paul Parish where Carol and her husband, Bob were members and where he is now principal of St. Paul School.

Carol, who was a nurse for more than 35 years, died in August 2006 of a blood disorder. A 1968 graduate of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, she was known affectionately as ''Peanut'' to her friends and classmates. She was a longtime volunteer for the OPEN M Free Clinic and established the Visiting Nurse Service as the first such center in the state for diabetic home care.

Greeting the walkers with Bob was Carol’s mother, Ann Christ. There were also many other relatives and friends of the couple.

See more photos of the walk by Tony DiDonato.

St. Paul Parish was well-represented at the annual walk. Seated (from left) are Jane DiDonato, Terry and Dave Nesline and Dave and Patty Van Pelt. Standing are Karen Cain and John Woofter.