Carole Jean Chesser (nee Johnson) was freed from the confines of Alzheimer’s disease on January 5, 2024. Carole left this world having obtained the award for greatest mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to ever exist.  We’re biased, of course, but facts are facts.

Carole was born on April 6, 1933, and was adopted as an infant by Elmer and Irene (nee Haggert) Johnson.  Sadly, Irene passed away before Carole’s 1st birthday leaving her to be raised by her father. Elmer expected her to work from an early age and she did, running a small general store in the mobile home park he owned.  It could be said this is where Carole’s love of chocolate began, and we cannot confirm nor deny any stories regarding a box of missing Hershey bars that remains unaccounted for to this day. Carole proudly continued to own and run her father’s business for the next 75 years.

Carole was the epitome of beauty, class, selflessness and sass.  She kicked 2 husbands to the curb, opting to be a single mother in a time when such a choice was nearly unheard of.  She devoted herself to her children, her business and some serious shopping, all while making mischief along the way.

Carole was as lucky as a four-leaf clover in a room full of rabbits’ feet.  She was an enthusiastic gambler who loved playing bingo and going to the casino with her girlfriends. Seriously, she could just look at a slot machine and it would spit money at her. She never met a piece of jewelry she didn’t like and often told her Granddaughters that their love of fashion and jewelry was in their “designer genes.”  She traveled to places near and far, visiting Egypt to see the pyramids and Greece because she “had a feeling,” she was Greek (her red hair and fair complexion begged to differ). Christmas was Carole’s Super Bowl and pinnacle of the year. Her home was where the family gathered and created memories that will be cherished eternally.

Carole always said she was born without a family, so she created her own. Her family was everything to her and she was everything to her family. She is leaving behind an incredibly heartbroken, yet thankful group of people.  Her beloved children Patricia (Richard) Ward, David (Christine) Chesser and Mark (Dana) Chesser. Her devoted grandchildren, Casey (Joel) Morse, Jesse (Caitlin Roseberg) Ward, Laura Ward, Kyle (Angi Milano) Chesser, Erin (Patrick) Sapanaro, David Novosel and Logan and Faith Chesser.  Loving great-grandchildren, Lauren Morse, Roman Aidikonis, Malini, Chayton and Mason Sapanaro. She also leaves behind her life-long best friend and partner in crime, Patricia O’Deens, as well as her treasured cat “Miss Kitty” aka Miss Sexy Socks.

Carole Jean packed a lot of living into her almost 91 years.  She was the kindest, most generous soul and her family will be lost without her for quite some time.  We don’t know what the future holds, but as Gram always said, we will just have to hide and watch.

The family would like to thank Gina De Angelis for the friendship and care over the last 2 years, as well as the Hospice of the Western Reserve for the care and support they provided during the last weeks of Carole’s life.

A private family celebration of life will be held in Carole’s honor.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Carole’s name to the Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44110 or www.hospicewr.org.

Arrangements made by the Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Chardon, Ohio. Information and condolences on-line at www.burrservice.com