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The family of Sarena Lyn Carroll uploaded a photo
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
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D
Dad posted a condolence
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Rena,
Four years ago today. The day I wish never happened. The day that every parent hopes they will never endure.
It hasn't been the same without you. The day doesn't go by when I don't think to myself, "God how I wish Rena were here."
I was so appreciative of your Father's Day visit two years ago. This Father's Day I waited around for you but, I guess you were busy.
Thank you for being my daughter...
Love,
DAD
J
Julie Hellon Cupples and family posted a condolence
Monday, July 8, 2013
We trust that beyond absence there is presence, That beyond pain, there can be healing, That beyond the brokenness, there can be wholeness, That beyond the anger there may be peace, That beyond the hurting there may be forgiveness, That beyond the silence, there may be the word, That beyond the word there may be understanding, That through understanding, there is love - Author Unknown
M
Mommy posted a condolence
Friday, July 5, 2013
We first talked during my morning meditation after about the third month of pregnancy. I wanted you to show me what you looked like but instead you told me your name. A name that I had never heard of before but has since become a name people are familiar with. You told me me "Sarena". I asked, "How do you want me to spell Sarena?". You said to spell it anyway I wanted. I asked you about a middle name. You said that was my choice. Born at home in Los Angeles with a mid-wife was a choice we made together. Vi, the mid-wife, held you up in a cloth sack with a weighing scale. More to come...
T
Tiffany Carroll posted a condolence
Thursday, July 4, 2013
The Perfect Gift: I have a small and purple box with empty space inside, built for hopes, to keep my worries, tucked away, but not denied. It was a gift From a thoughtful soul, while Taylor was away. I kept it on my dresser, And saw it everyday. And on that dresser it remains, still full of hopes and sorrows. A piece of her will always be a part of each day and every tomorrow.
T
Tiffany Carroll posted a condolence
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Thinking about you and the family continuously. Know that although I cannot truly comprehend the depth of your sorrow, I would take it all upon myself if I could. I feel lucky to have been a part of her life for the short time that I was allowed. Even in the toughest of times, I've experienced so many brilliant aspects of her soul... her voice, her laugh, her artistic side, the way she was with the girls, the way she cared for animals, the love she had for her family... countless things. Let me know if there is anything I can do besides send you my love, and love her brother with all of my being. I want to help him keep her memory alive, recognizing that she will always be with us. As Taylor said today... she is an angel now.
R
Randall posted a condolence
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Thank you all for being here. It means so much to Ellen and me and Sarena's entire family and to Ben. As you can already tell, this memorial is a little different because Sarena was different. She was unique. She was one of a kind and proudly so. After all, who else drives a Dodge Nitro with vanity plates "Slitherz" to honor her several reptiles. We are positive that this is the kind of memorial that she would have wanted and we are pretty sure that she wants you to enjoy yourself.
Sarena was born at home. Right in the master bedroom. No hospital. No doctor. No nothing. This is how gifts from God are delivered. And you don't ask God why he takes his gift back so soon. You thank him for the 24 years that his gift was your beautiful daughter.
We called her Winkemos or sometimes Rena Pena. I forget why or where the name Winkemos came from but, it stuck and it seemed to describe Sarena perfectly. Parents are generally known for embarrassing their kids and we did so by singing out loud that "everybody knows she's a Winkemos." You'd have to hear the whole ditty. It's elaborate, and it rhymes.
Many of you have heard this story. Once when Ellen and I were driving around town and discussing religion, Sarena, then four years old, overheard us from her car seat and exclaimed: "I don't want to be Methodist; I want to be gorgeous!!!". Well, it turns out that the two are not mutually exclusive and Sarena was both.
Sarena was the gift that kept on giving. She was the cutest, most precious, most precocious little girl that you can imagine. The women of Dallas, Texas are known for their big hair but, they had nothing on Sarena. You might have seen some of the old photos of her in the other room. She had the biggest head of curls you ever saw. Those curls of hers were generally accompanied by her favorite ensemble of all: a diaper and Mom's high heels. That is how I remember her walking around our home. I guess the fashion bug bit her early in life and from toddlerhood on, it was important to Rena that her clothes always had just the right look. It was almost as important that your clothes had just the right look lest you be the recipient of Sarena's free fashion advice. But, this was good advice and those who listened always looked good, in fashion and confident. This is why wherever Ellen and I traveled, before buying any outfit, Ellen would take a picture of it on her cellphone and send it to Sarena for approval or disapproval.
Rena was an excellent all-around student. She was a great writer but, she was best known for her creative side which included dancing, singing and every kind of art work. Unfortunately, most of her artwork burned up in our house fire so we don't have as much left as we would like. Inside, on the dining room table you will see a couple of beautifully done collages that we happen to have because they were Mothers Day or Fathers Day gifts that we kept safe through the years. On the kitchen table, you will also see an Angel that she sculpted from a massive stone. Now she is that Angel free to pursue the many ideas for new craft projects and art projects that she always had.
In addition to painting and sculpting, Rena was an excellent performance artist, music, drama and dance. In the other room and on this TV slide show you will see many photos from her main stage role in Arabian Nights. At Mount Hermon school, she was part of an award-winning dance team. Just before she died, Sarena could barely walk but, I remember her as a strong, athletic and accomplished dancer.
Her academic record in high school attracted the attention of many colleges. She ultimately enrolled in Drexel University with a Dean's Merit Scholarship awarded to the top 5% of each incoming class. Her scholastic performance was excellent until she just became too ill to keep up with her studies. Unfortunately, after withdrawing from Drexel, Sarena's life was substantially consumed with fighting disease and trying her hardest to achieve good health. That turned out to be an elusive goal no matter her valiant, brave efforts to get better. She tried everything; every doctor; every procedure, some of them experimental. Nothing really worked. Nothing helped. I should also point out that you can't even undergo some of these procedures without a strong support system at your back. Ben was the biggest part of that support system. He did everything a man could do.
Sarena learned the art of cooking from her mother early on. She brought the same creativity to cooking that she brought to everything else and was avid about finding the new and perfect recipe. As the ruler of her kitchen, you best stay out of the way while she is doing her thing but, the results were always well worth it. Many of you were the beneficiaries of her cooking skills and will undoubtedly miss her cooking away in the kitchen on holidays. I know that I will but, at the same time, if I sit in the right kitchen chair and look in just the right direction, I can still see her there today; smiling, singing, and fixing.
Her love of travel no doubt came from her grandparents, Emma Jane and Bill Carroll. The early seeds of this life-long passion were sown on amazing trips with the Grandparents, brother Taylor and her first-cousins, Allison and Brian Donohue. Sarena would come home from these Taulk Tours of Europe and the U.S. and tell us all about the joys of first-class travel. She never tired of travel and especially of going in style. Of all the rooms in our modestly furnished villa in Abu Dhabi, Sarena's is the only one with real panache. Thanks to IKEA, a small furnishings budget and some creative use of cardboard, you will easily identify which bedroom belongs to Rena.
Speaking of first-class travel, I am reminded that from early elementary school, Sarena loved to travel in limousines, the longer the better. Once when she was ten years old, she won a scholastic contest for which the winner received a limousine ride to the destination of her choice in Mount Dora, Florida. Sarena chose McDonalds so off she went in that stretch limo to McDonalds. I trust that she has arrived in Heaven courtesy of the longest stretch limousine in God's fleet.
Fortunately, for Sarena, she had a special person in her life whose contribution to her well-being was immense. I am speaking of Ben Finch who became a part of our family and who had more patience and resolve than the rest of us combined. You have no idea what a good guy Ben is nor how much he did for Sarena.
It's not easy living and working overseas as far from home as I do. But, luckily, I do get home fairly often and one of the best parts of landing at Dulles was the many times that Sarena would meet my flight at 6:30 am. It warmed my heart each time she drove up to my departure door, smiling and waiving and never complaining about either the early hour or any of her health issues. Around her father at least, Rena was always upbeat, optimistic and forward-looking. That is the only Sarena that I know and that is the Sarena that I will always remember…
Recently, Rena had a bunch of health issues. These were serious issues, particularly for someone so young, and to most women her age, struggling to walk and enduring tremendous pain would be depressing to say the least. And yet, Ellen and I both noticed how well she handled her situation. If anything, her mental state had been better than ever lately. This was a brave individual, facing excruciating pain on a daily basis with no relief, no outlet. A lot of people tried to help her; but, no one could. Now her pain is gone. Now she has the relief that she was yearning for. Whatever pain we now feel in her absence, doesn't come close to the pain she endured.
When your child dies at 24, there are many things that are denied to the parents. I will never get to give away Sarena at her wedding. We will never get to see her raise children of her own even though she would have been a great Mom. We will never get to see her fulfill the potential of her musical, dramatic and artistic talents. These lost opportunities may be the hardest thing about losing a child.
Sarena used to tell us that she would consider her wedding reception to be a big success if at the end of the night, a bunch of people wound up in the pool still wearing their tuxedos and gowns. Well, of course, it isn't fair because Sarena died before she could have that wedding and have all those well-dressed people cavorting in the swimming pool. What I would not give if we could still attend her wedding, wet tuxedos notwithstanding. But, although this is hardly a wedding, and I am not exactly in a tuxedo, I do know that Sarena is watching and I want her to have at least some semblance of her dream party. So, if you will excuse me, I am off to jump in the pool for my Winkemos.
But before I do, please be my witness as I give thanks to God for allowing me to be Sarena Lyn's father for 24 years.
Please enjoy this memorial service because that is what Rena would have wanted. Then, go home, hug your kids and thank God for every day you spend with them.
God Bless…
K
Karen Tyson posted a condolence
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Ellen and Randy, so sorry for you loss. Sarena was a lovely light. thinking of you and sending you love.
M
Maria Kardos posted a condolence
Monday, July 1, 2013
When I first met you, you were in middle school. I saw you every week, and I watched you grow up. I saw you as part of my family. I watched you when you had your high school graduation party, I stayed there all night protecting you, making sure you were safe. You were happy, with a lot of friends by your side. And I saw you laugh countless times, and I was there when you were upset. Right now, I feel like my heart's been broken, I feel the same pain as your parents, your sister, your brother. I hope you find a better place, I'm always going to miss you.
~Maria Kardos
The Housecleaner
A
Anné Hughes posted a condolence
Monday, July 1, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
t
tina (varboncoeur) wolfe posted a condolence
Monday, July 1, 2013
ellen and randy, i am so sorry for your precious loss. I didn't know her, but i know you two, so i know she was special as you two are. I am at a loss for words other than i pray you find peace with this loss. I am always here if you ever need to talk. love and thoughts
T
The Goodsons posted a condolence
Monday, June 24, 2013
The Goodsons made a donation to SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS OF NORTHERN VA
We are very sorry to hear about your loss. From our family to yours, our most heartfelt sympathies.
J
Jim and Katharine Kobi posted a condolence
Monday, June 24, 2013
Jim and Katharine Kobi made a donation to SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS OF NORTHERN VA
Words cannot express how very sorry we are for your loss of Sarena. We send our prayers and most heartfelt sympathy to each of you.
A
Allison, Andrew & Jane Oxenreiter posted a condolence
Monday, June 24, 2013
Allison, Andrew & Jane Oxenreiter made a donation to SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS OF NORTHERN VA
Sarena's Memorial was a perfect tribute. Thank you for including us. We will remember her beautiful spirit with love always. Love, The Oxenreiters
Adams-Green Funeral Home & Crematory
721 Elden Street | Herndon, VA 20170
P: (703) 437-1764 or (703) 471-4090 | E: bill@adamsgreen.com
