Carole Elaine (Engle,Hegmann) Stephens

Carole Elaine ( Engle, Hegmann) Stephens

August 21, 1939 - September 19, 2024 

Carole (with an e!) was born to Geraldine Grace Richards (1908-1997) and Reverend Earl Norman Engle (1906-1987) in Jamestown, NY. As the daughter of a Unitarian Universalist minister and his wife, she was surrounded by music and love throughout her childhood. Carole was brilliant both academically and musically. She studied violin with the renowned Paul Rolland and piano with his wife, Clara Rolland as well as Alethea Foster. She graduated college with High Honors in 1961 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, and earned her Master’s Degree in Music Education in 1971 from the University of Illinois. Her name can still be seen on the bronze tablet of honors at U of I. She married her first husband Joseph Paul Hegmann (d. 2011) in 1960 and together they had three children, Theresa Elaine in 1965, and identical twins Cynthia Ann and Rebecca Jean in 1967. Joseph and Carole divorced in 1975.

Carole loved to sew, and made her own wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses, and clothing for her girls and grandkids. She loved to knit and often made her famous 12-foot scarves for people she cared about. She loved to go on car rides and adventures with her dear friend Valorie. She also loved coffee, reading road signs out loud, anything red, gardening, cats, dogs, and birds. Above all, she loved music. Carole was a master violinist and pianist, and also played viola, cello, bass, along with some wind, brass and percussion instruments. She conducted multiple orchestras and taught instrumental music to thousands of students of all ages in Illinois, Colorado, Iowa, Missouri, Texas, and Wisconsin throughout her life.

In the mid 1980s, Carole had a second but troubled marriage, marking the beginning of a darker period in her life. Thanks to Rev. Dr. Karen Boehk, and guardian angels from the congregation of the Smithville, Texas First United Methodist Church, Carole was rescued from domestic abuse and was returned to the midwest in 2015. Following years of separation from her children, she settled in the Madison Wisconsin area with her daughter Cynthia, and she found loving support, healing, great friends, and joyful music, through a community of musicians. She spent her final days in peace at Sienna Meadows Memory Care Center where she was taken care of with great kindness, love, and respect.

Carole had incredible resilience. She was a survivor of early onset non-alzheimer's dementia, domestic abuse, colon cancer, and two bouts of Covid among other challenges. She stayed steadfastly positive through difficult times with an uncanny ability to escape to another dimension where music is always playing.

Many heartfelt thank you’s go out to the following Guardian Angels:

Rev. Dr. Karen Boehk and the Smithville, Texas First United Methodist Church, and the Wesley Nursing Program for saving mom’s life. And again, to Karen for sending letters and cards and being there for mom and praying with her over the phone in her final hours. Debbie Wilkerson (niece, raised as a sister) for the many cards, care packages, calls, letters, and gifts and for being there for mom with positive, sweet memories and gracious humor over the phone in her final hours. Valorie McClain Johnson for her unwavering love, friendship, care, and support and for offering loving comfort in mom’s final hours. Sue Peters for the frequent cards and notes she sent to brighten Mom’s days. Agrace Palliative and Hospice Care in Madison, Wi for their compassionate and loving end-of-life care and for guiding her loved ones through her last hours. Sienna Meadows Memory Care Center, and Director Bridgette Gustafson for their respectful and loving care. Madison Song Circle for supporting Mom's love of music. Hoot’n Annie Stringband and members Tim Haub and Prentice Berg who played and sang for mom during her final journey. Threshold Singers, led by Rebecca Kemble who accompanied mom with the voices of angels on her final day. Cremation Society of Madison for their care services.

Preceded in death by: Father, Rev. Earl Norman Engle (1906-1987). Mother, Geraldine Grace Richards Engle (1908-1997). Brother, Frances Earl Engle (1930-2016). Sister, Sylvia Jean Ehler (1941-2005).

Survived by: Niece (raised as a sister), Debbie Engle Wilkerson. Daughter Theresa Elaine Hegmann (Matthew Lang), Granddaughter Natasha Hegmann (Peter Kerns),Great-grandson Joseph Harold Kerns. Daughter Cynthia Ann Murphy, Granddaughter Heather Ann Murphy, Great-granddaughter Violet Juniper Murphy. Daughter Rebecca Jean Richardson (Mark Coxwell), Grandson Nicholas Joseph Richardson, Grandson Nathan Thomas Richardson.

Donations: In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Agrace Palliative and Hospice Care in Madison, Wi and the Threshold Singers in Madison, Wi.

Memorial: A musical celebration of her life will occur on October 19th, 2024 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Muso Madison, 2040 Winnebago Street. There will be no formal services.