It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Carolynn Inez McLaughlin (nee Senick) in Calgary, Alberta, on October 7, 2021, at the age of 74.

Carolynn is survived by her devoted husband Jim; her son Jamie (Silvia); her daughter Keri (Mike); and her grandchildren Jack, Lia, and Noah.  She is survived by her sisters Elizabeth, Amy, Barb, and Debbie and brothers Nick and Donnie and extended family and friends across Canada. Carolynn was predeceased by her mother; father; brother Michael; and sister Marlene.

Carolynn was born on October 18, 1946, in Ottawa, Ontario.  She was the third of nine children to Michael and Marion Senick.  Michael was a merchant mariner and the family lived in different cities in Canada before eventually settling in Montreal.  Carolynn graduated from the Montreal High School for Girls.  Introduced to Jim in 1966 through a mutual friend; with Jim spilling beer on her on their first date, the relationship grew until they were married in Montreal on June 22, 1968.  After the birth of Jamie and Keri, she lived in Montreal and a short time in Toronto, eventually moving from Montreal to Calgary in 1981.

While her children were young, Carolynn was a homemaker and school volunteer.  Carolynn had a varied working career in retail and property management, ending her time working as an office manager for an oil and gas service company. 

Carolynn was a great cook but above all an exceptional baker, making cookies and muffins weekly, and her pies were beautiful to behold and delicious to eat. Christmastime was special, Carolynn would create a dozen or more exquisite cookies and squares carefully presented to family and friends.  She always explored adding new ones to her collection every year but made sure everyone had their favorite. 

Christmas was her most favorite time of year. Planning and preparation occurred months in advance. The number of boxes of decorations she had were too many to count, holding both new and cherished decorations.  The family decorating weekend was a tradition, decorating every room in the house with great detail.  A home-cooked meal with countless desserts was the culmination on Christmas Day.

Carolynn was an excellent seamstress.  She skillfully made suits, dresses, vests for her son’s wedding, and countless clothing pieces for her grandchildren over the years. More recently she made masks for family and friends during the pandemic.

Her immediate family will honour her memory in private, and ask friends and family to gather where they are and as they can to enjoy a sweet dessert and remember her.