In memory of
Carol Ann McQueen
December 15, 1955 - November 27, 2025
It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of Carol Ann McQueen (nee Witherell) on Nov. 27, 2025, at Lakeridge Health Oshawa, after a short illness.
She is sadly missed by her mother, Jacqueline {Jackie} June Witherell {nee Smith}, nieces Sarah and Julie Witherell, one great-nephew, two great-nieces, and many cousins in Ontario and The Maritimes. She will always be fondly remembered by Steve Gambier.
Carol is pre-deceased by her father, Ronald James Witherell, brothers Gary and Lawrence Witherell, and her much-loved friend Rein.
Born in Sudbury, Ontario, and raised in Lively, Ontario, Carol moved to Toronto to study Hospitality and worked in the industry before finding employment in a downtown pharmacy. In 1984, Carol made the move that would change her life in so many ways. She accepted a position at Youthdale Treatment Centres in their Accounts Receivable Department. She not only loved her job, but also made lifelong friends of her co-workers. In 2020, Carol retired from Youthdale and started enjoying the next phase of her life.
Carol was a voracious reader and always had a novel on the go, with more on her wait list. She used her long daily commute to immerse herself in her current book. She took up golf in 2015, and Rein was happy to be her teacher and competition. She may not have had a strong long game, but she made up for it with her putting skills. She loved travelling, and was thrilled to have the opportunity to visit Hawaii, Australia, England, Mexico and so many more places. True to form, she kept meticulous records of her travels, and created beautiful photo albums complete with local currency and brochures from every country she visited. Carol became a city girl, but still had her roots firmly planted in Northern Ontario. She loved being outdoors, visiting Manitoulin Island, swimming and boating with her family, and spending long, lazy days at the Gambier cottage.
Carol was compassionate, strong, and fiercely loyal to her family and friends. They were devoted to her, and have been shaken by her loss. Her nurturing and supportive ways will be missed by all her "Divas" at her condo complex, as well as her Youthdale co-workers. They've been a source of comfort to her family and to each other.
Carol got her strength and resilience from her mother, Jackie. There were many times in her life that she needed to draw from that strength, and it never failed her. It's no coincidence that her circle of friends were also determined and capable women. They leaned on, and empowered each other.
The family would like to thank the extraordinary staff at Lakeridge Health Ajax-Pickering and Lakeridge Health Oshawa for their gentle, professional care, and their outstanding communication with us during the last weeks.
Carol requested no service or visitation, and cremation has occurred. Interment will take place in Espanola in the spring. Should you choose, Jackie has requested donations to The Salvation Army in memory of her beloved daughter.
As we went through Carol's paperwork, we found many copies of this passage. We're certain it meant a lot to her, and so we share it with you.
I stood watching as the little ship sailed out to sea.
The setting sun tinted her white sails
with a golden light,
and as she disappeared from sight,
a voice at my side whispered, “She is gone.”
But the sea was a narrow one.
On the farther shore a little band of friends had gathered to watch and wait in happy expectation.
Suddenly they caught sight of the tiny sail and, at the very moment when my companion had whispered, “She is gone” a glad shout went up in joyous welcome,
“Here she comes!”
Author Unknown
She is sadly missed by her mother, Jacqueline {Jackie} June Witherell {nee Smith}, nieces Sarah and Julie Witherell, one great-nephew, two great-nieces, and many cousins in Ontario and The Maritimes. She will always be fondly remembered by Steve Gambier.
Carol is pre-deceased by her father, Ronald James Witherell, brothers Gary and Lawrence Witherell, and her much-loved friend Rein.
Born in Sudbury, Ontario, and raised in Lively, Ontario, Carol moved to Toronto to study Hospitality and worked in the industry before finding employment in a downtown pharmacy. In 1984, Carol made the move that would change her life in so many ways. She accepted a position at Youthdale Treatment Centres in their Accounts Receivable Department. She not only loved her job, but also made lifelong friends of her co-workers. In 2020, Carol retired from Youthdale and started enjoying the next phase of her life.
Carol was a voracious reader and always had a novel on the go, with more on her wait list. She used her long daily commute to immerse herself in her current book. She took up golf in 2015, and Rein was happy to be her teacher and competition. She may not have had a strong long game, but she made up for it with her putting skills. She loved travelling, and was thrilled to have the opportunity to visit Hawaii, Australia, England, Mexico and so many more places. True to form, she kept meticulous records of her travels, and created beautiful photo albums complete with local currency and brochures from every country she visited. Carol became a city girl, but still had her roots firmly planted in Northern Ontario. She loved being outdoors, visiting Manitoulin Island, swimming and boating with her family, and spending long, lazy days at the Gambier cottage.
Carol was compassionate, strong, and fiercely loyal to her family and friends. They were devoted to her, and have been shaken by her loss. Her nurturing and supportive ways will be missed by all her "Divas" at her condo complex, as well as her Youthdale co-workers. They've been a source of comfort to her family and to each other.
Carol got her strength and resilience from her mother, Jackie. There were many times in her life that she needed to draw from that strength, and it never failed her. It's no coincidence that her circle of friends were also determined and capable women. They leaned on, and empowered each other.
The family would like to thank the extraordinary staff at Lakeridge Health Ajax-Pickering and Lakeridge Health Oshawa for their gentle, professional care, and their outstanding communication with us during the last weeks.
Carol requested no service or visitation, and cremation has occurred. Interment will take place in Espanola in the spring. Should you choose, Jackie has requested donations to The Salvation Army in memory of her beloved daughter.
As we went through Carol's paperwork, we found many copies of this passage. We're certain it meant a lot to her, and so we share it with you.
I stood watching as the little ship sailed out to sea.
The setting sun tinted her white sails
with a golden light,
and as she disappeared from sight,
a voice at my side whispered, “She is gone.”
But the sea was a narrow one.
On the farther shore a little band of friends had gathered to watch and wait in happy expectation.
Suddenly they caught sight of the tiny sail and, at the very moment when my companion had whispered, “She is gone” a glad shout went up in joyous welcome,
“Here she comes!”
Author Unknown