Carol Elaine Bergeron

Carol Murray Bergeron, age 79, began her peaceful journey to her heavenly life on Saturday, June 22, 2024. She was loved and will be missed dearly by her family and friends.

Carol was born in Santa Ana, California to the late Fenton and Bonnie Murray. Carol was reunited with the love of her life, her devoted husband of 52 years, the late Jerry Bergeron. Jerry would say he was put here on this earth to take care of her - this was a rare, unconditional love. Together they raised their daughters, Michelle (Leigh) Yurgin and Mia (Jay) McCabe and were ever so proud of their four grandchildren Nathan and Caleigh Yurgin and Mazzy and Declan vanEijmeren. Carol was a beloved sister to her late brother Larry and her baby sister Barb. She is cherished and fondly remembered by cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, “adopted” family she met along the way, friends, and caregivers. She is truly missed by her furry companion, Molly the Cat. Carol loved her family and friends.

Carol grew up on the South Side of Chicago with her besties Mary Lou and Pat along with her 5 Murray boy cousins. She was always the top of her class and graduated Salutatorian from Sacred Heart High School. She attended St. Mary of Nazareth Nursing School where she met many more of her lifelong friends. As the story goes . . . while on one of her clinical rotations, Carol, the beautiful red headed student nurse, met the signature bad boy patient, who fell in love with her at first sight. Jerry would use all means to “get that red head’s phone number” and arrange a first date. On that first date, March 17, 1964 he would propose and they would marry a year later in July 1965. Carol’s nursing career began as a surgical nurse at Oak Forest and St. Francis Hospitals and continued through the years as a Nursing Professor at MVCC, Physician Office and Urgent Care RN. Her career as a nurse also meant she automatically became the family and neighborhood nurse for life. Carol also worked several years as a merchandiser for a fashion boutique and custom lighting store. Carol and Jerry resided both in Oak Forest and Frankfort until they retired to Gold Canyon Arizona 2005-2017. After Jerry’s passing, Carol returned to Illinois.

Carol filled her life with her many passions. She danced for years as she loved dancing, music, movies and anything having to do with the arts. She was the “dance teacher” of many parties and gatherings, no shyness from the limelight, spontaneously choreographing to whatever song was playing – most remembered for “Love will Keep Us Together” and “Must be Santa.” In the 80s, you could spot Carol cruising in her baby blue Lincoln Continental, blaring Hot Stuff by Donna Summer on 8 Track! She dabbled in ceramics and painting, she loved home redecorating and collaborated with Jerry on many arts and craft projects -- Jerry would build and Carol would paint and put the finishing touches on. Together their creativity soared. Carol was a writer and her words have shone through in her many published articles, stories, writings, and poetry. Carol had a deep love and longing for the ocean and beach, she enjoyed parties and soaking up sun by her pools and spending time with her beloved pets. She loved to travel and was blessed to visit many beautiful places. Her favorite color was Purple and her favorite holiday was St. Patrick’s Day. Other specific favorites (getting it wrong would get you in trouble): ½ pound of Scott Peterson Veal Bologna sliced paper thin; Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino, no whip cream, with a dome lid; Vito and Nicks sausage pizza; a rare burger on the grill; a Fleckenstein’s glazed cinnamon roll and ice chips crushed just right! Signature Carol dishes, Peach Poop, Yorkshire pudding, English muffin mini pizzas and lunch meat sandwiches on grocery shopping day. She knew and LOVED jewelry – a unique ring for every perfectly manicured finger, that came with a story attached to each piece of jewelry. Lipstick and sunglasses were purse essentials and she had a perfect blended style of Mrs. Roper and Alexis Carrington, with a mix of her lifetime favorites, Cher and Barbara Streisand. Carol was a collector, at one time or another, of artwork, dolls, blown glass, trinket boxes and anything she considered a treasure. She loved watching football with Jerry and was a diehard Bears fan and embraced the Arizona Cardinals; Notre Dame always her #1 college team! 

Carol and Jerry had a spirit of acceptance and took those that may be lost under their wings and made them feel like they had a home. They loved holidays and always made them memorable, from Easter egg hunts in Arkansas, to Valentine’s Day get-a-ways, to slumber party Christmases with wrapping paper mountains and Angel Food birthday cakes with strawberry frosting, they made each one special! 

Our mom Carol, had a sense of humor, an adventurous spirit and eccentric taste, which made an imprint on those around her. Her memory will live on in the hearts of many. 

Ecclesiastics assures us that there is a time for every purpose under heaven. A time to laugh and a time to weep. A time to mourn and there is a time to dance …………

Dance and sing mom – you are home! 

To honor our Mom’s wishes, a private memorial service will be held at Beltane Beach, California at a future date. A “Toast to Mom” will be held at “Gracies” in Frankfort at a future date, details will be sent. Please share your favorite memories in the online guestbook.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations can be made in our mom’s name to Lightways Hospice Center, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431.

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