Obituary of Carol Lee Procuik

July 7, 1946 - Winnipeg, Manitoba

May 27, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Carol Lee Procuik (nee Miller) beloved wife, mother, and friend, of Cochrane, AB, passed away on Monday, May 27, 2024, at the age of 77 years, after a courageous and brave fight against ovarian cancer.

Carol was born in Winnipeg, MB, on July 7, 1946.  Carol lived most of her life in Winnipeg, growing up in a loving family and was extremely close to her parents Bill and Teenie Miller and brother Don.  Carol was an accomplished student during her younger years and excelled at everything she did, including writing a play!  During her high school years, Carol was a cheerleader, played various sports and was even crowned ‘Freshie Queen’ of her high school.  In her twenties, Carol got to live out her dream and became a police officer, one of the first female detectives on the Winnipeg Police Force.

While living out her dream in her career as a police officer, it led her to meet her husband, Carl Procuik.  Carol met Carl whilst conducting official police business and the rest, as they say, is history.  Carol and Carl were married in 1971.  Soon after, along came their firstborn, a son, Jared in 1972.  Not long after that, a daughter, Jennifer was born in 1974.  Carol and Carl lived in Winnipeg until 1984, when the family moved to Red Deer, AB.  Eventually, another move would take the family to Sherwood Park, AB, in 1988 and yet another move to Cochrane, AB, in 1997, where Carol resided until her passing.

Carol and Carl enjoyed many years of family camping trips in their RVs, heading out to the mountains to enjoy snacks and drinks and listening to Neil Diamond.  These family camping trips were Carol’s favourite memories.  In their later years, Carol and Carl purchased some land out near Sundre, AB, where they created their ‘special place’ and spent most of their summers out on ‘the land’.  Carol was happiest when she was out on ‘the land’ trimming her trees and cleaning everything up and then enjoying the peace, beauty and solitude the property had to offer her and Carl. 

Carol was a devoted wife, mother and friend. Always doing everything for others first, before herself. Carol was always considerate of supporting local charities whenever she could and had a deep love for animals, particularly dogs (specifically sharing a special bond with her grand dog, Murphy-Wilson along with two other family dogs who predeceased her, Muffin and Benji).  Carol was an extremely passionate, creative and talented individual who put her ‘all’ into everything she took on.  From cooking delicious meals to decorating her home, Carol was a true artist and had a ‘special touch’, one that is irreplaceable.

Carol was loved and adored by everyone who knew her and was a generous and caring friend but mostly, Carol lived for her family.  There was nothing Carol would not do for her family (or friends).  Carol was the ‘rock’ of her family and was often lovingly referred to as the ‘Supreme Commander’ – Carol made things happen!  Carol had a unique bond with her husband, Carl and was extremely close to her children.  Carol’s children meant everything to her and she meant the world to them.  Carol shared a closeness with her son and was proud to be a part of running his cabinet-making business.  Her never-ending devotion to tending to his bookkeeping was indeed a passion of hers.  Carol particularly enjoyed her close relationship with her daughter and they would often take yearly trips together.  One of the memorable trips was a trip to Hawaii back in 2010.  Carol and her daughter were truly each other’s ‘person’.

Carol fought many medical battles over the last four years, including her ovarian cancer, but never once did she complain.  Carol always put on a brave face and was ready to put on her armour to take on whatever treatment she had to endure to keep on fighting.  In fact, one of Carol’s favourite sayings throughout her cancer journey was from the song ‘Tubthumping’ by Chumbawamba … ‘I get knocked down, but I get up again, and you’re never going to keep me down’!  Carol never gave up and was ‘looking forward’ to receiving more chemo treatments, when suddenly, just before Mother’s Day weekend of 2024, a stroke was the final straw that told her poor body, it was time to release from all the pain and suffering.

Carol will be most remembered for her loving and compassionate spirit, her strength, wit and charm and for being an incredible wife and ‘Good Mother’. Carol Lee Procuik (our precious ‘Mama’) … you will be forever loved and missed … infinity and beyond.

Besides her loving and devoted husband Carl, Carol is survived by her son, Jared of Lumby, BC, and daughter, Jennifer of Cochrane, AB. Carol was predeceased by her parents, William and Augustina Miller and brother Don

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McInnis & Holloway (Cochrane, 369 Railway Street, Cochrane, AB), on Thursday, May 30, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca. 

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Carol’s family here.

In living memory of Carol Lee Procuik, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Cochrane, 369 Railway Street, Cochrane, AB T4C 2E2, Telephone: 403-932-4740.