Carolyn Ouellette Hebel

Carolyn Hebel, born on July 3, 1952, in Eagle Lake, Maine, was the beloved daughter of Phil and Dolores Ouellette, proud descendants of French-Canadian heritage. At the tender age of two, Carolyn’s family relocated to Miami, Florida, where she thrived throughout her education at Seminole Elementary, Coral Gables High School, and the University of South Florida (USF). She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from USF, where her exceptional academic and social contributions earned her a spot in Who’s Who during her senior year.

 Carolyn dedicated five enriching years to teaching, inspiring students from kindergarten through sixth grade. A devoted member of her Catholic church during her high school years, she dedicated countless hours to youth ministry, igniting a passion for service and faith that would define her life.

 On June 28, 1975, after 3 years of dating, Carolyn married her soulmate, Steve Hebel, in the Coral Gables Congregational Church. Together, they nurtured their faith and community, leading youth groups, adult Bible studies and marital retreats. Their love story blossomed into a beautiful partnership that spanned nearly five decades and gave Carolyn her greatest and proudest roles: mother of Caroline & Philip and grandmother to Preston (6), Calen (2.5), and Penelope (6 months).

 The Hebel family called Miami, FL; Norcross, GA; Hampton, NJ; Ponte Vedra Beach, FL and finally Roswell, GA home for the next 49 years. During this time Carolyn answered a calling to help and serve others through various careers, including teacher, real estate agent, small business owner, newborn nanny, special needs teacher’s aide, and doctor’s office administrator. 

 With a passion for hummingbirds and gardening, Carolyn cultivated a vibrant oasis filled with a diverse array of plants and flowers, reflecting her cheerful and positive spirit. This love and commitment to nurturing and cultivating beauty defined both Carolyn and the life she modeled. Her legacy is a botanical testament to the intimacy she enjoyed with Christ and her devotion to sowing love and inclusion throughout her world. Her kindness, loyalty, open-mindedness, optimism, gentleness, faith and unwavering support endeared her to everyone she met, making her a true gift to all who knew her. Carolyn was the guiding light for her family, leading them on exciting adventures to new places, experiences, people and ways of seeing (and loving) God’s creations. Whether she was navigating the bustling streets of New York, attending iconic Broadway shows, learning to play the accordion in Italy, baking a lasagna for a new family, singing karaoke, hosting wreath-making parties, decorating a Haunted Mill, spoiling her beloved “children-in-love” Michael Leuzzi, Mayra Hebel & Nelly Ramirez, chatting for hours with her best friends, or chasing Josh Groban concerts, Carolyn’s zest for “making memories” created countless cherished moments for her loved ones. 

 One of these most cherished memories was the first time she experienced snow. Waking in the early hours to find snow gently falling in Central Park, New York, with Steve., she joyfully ushered Steve outside, where she stood in awe, catching snowflakes on her face and tongue. In that magical moment, she made her first snow angel, exclaiming, “I’ve always wanted to do this!!” For Carolyn, the moment was pure joy, and the location was irrelevant. It is this humble and 

 In her own diary, Carolyn once described herself: “I am an amazing woman, with a spirit of faith, a heart of kindness, and a character of strength and beauty. Created by Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.”

 God blessed us with Carolyn, a sweet and loving soul whose legacy of love, faith, and joy will forever remain in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests donating to the following causes that were dear to Carolyn:

• American Red Cross
• The Salvation Army
• Wounded Warrior Project
• Compassion in Jesus’ name
• St. Jude