Carlene married Phil Waldron on September 1, 1979. During her lifetime, she worked as an accounting supervisor at Lancaster County Health Department. For nearly her entire adult life, she enjoyed both the farm home and land where she grew up and the home she shared with her husband Phil in Lincoln.
Carlene, alongside her husband Phil, was a kind and gracious hostess, welcoming friends and family for all sorts of occasions. She had a knack for elevating events into extra special celebrations, complete with delicious treats, festive décor, and fabulous table decorations. Carlene was known as Queen of the Deserts and Phil as the King of the Grill.
One of the most unforgettable experiences for Carlene and Phil’s cousins and their families was their generous gift of a get together for the 2017 solar eclipse. Because Carlene’s Riverdale farmhouse lay directly in the path of totality, it was a remarkable time to be together and witness the wonders of the natural world.
The Christmas season was Carlene’s favorite time of the year. She had a collection of over 400 Christmas books, including pop-up ones. For over forty years, she and Phil hosted a Christmas Gathering for all the neighbors on their block. During the holiday season, neighbors understood that if the red festooned Christmas tree was lit in their window, they were welcome to come in and visit. Along with their neighbors, they helped sustain a tradition of luminaries that lit the sidewalks of their neighborhood. On Christmas Eve, these lights drew in multitudes of people who came to see and enjoy their glow.
One of Carlene’s cousins spoke for many, saying, “Paul and I enjoyed Carlene’s love of snail (postal) mail. The cards she chose were a little quirky with a good sense of humor. They made our day.” Carlene made a point of paying attention and honoring the birthdays and special occasions of others.
Carlene was a member of the P.E.O. Chapter of CS-DK in Lincoln. She was an active and dedicated member of First Presbyterian Church for 43 years. Carlene was a loving and faith filled woman.
She is survived by her husband Phil, sister-in-law Marcia (Dan) Cada of Burlington, North Carolina, nephews Eric (Jane) of Venetia, Pennsylvania, Mark (Melissa) Cada of Hillsboro, North Carolina, Peter (Kim) Cada of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, brother-in-law Tom Schroeder, 2 great nieces and 5 great nephews, and many cousins and friends. Carlene was preceded in death by her parents and sister Lana.
A celebration of Carlene’s life will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 4th, at First Presbyterian Church, 840 S 17th Street, Lincoln, with livestreaming available at fpclincoln.online.church. Interment will be at a later date at the Riverdale Cemetery in Riverdale, Nebraska. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be given to Riverdale Cemetery, First Presbyterian Church Foundation, Food Bank of Lincoln, or Habitat for Humanity.
May Carlene’s memory always be a blessing.