Carolyn Dominik, most recently of Hurst, Texas, died Friday, May 1, after courageously battling multiple myeloma and other medical conditions for the past seven months. 

She passed away peacefully and while encircled by the love of her greatest legacy. All three of her children, along with several grandchildren and even her great-grandson, were by her side. She was 78. 

Carolyn fought through far more difficult times than she deserved in this mortal life, but she always held fast to her dignity and faith while affording her children the chance to move ahead. She also found joy later in life by serving her church community, especially in St. Michael’s ministry to local nursing homes and hospitals. 

Her closest friends through life’s trials and tribulations included Melchiorre Drago, Charles Miller, Roy Lee Chappell, and Reo Mikey Lusty. 

Carolyn was the daughter of Walter and Christine Kolankowski. She was born Sept. 6, 1947, in Detroit, Mich., and grew up in the city’s Polish enclave of Hamtramck. She had two younger siblings, Beverly Rizek and Paul Dominik, both of whom predeceased her. 

She graduated from Wilbur Wright Co-op in Detroit and later studied business management at Tarrant County College.

She worked at Tandy Corporation for 12 years and later was a buyer for the City of Fort Worth, where she was in charge of purchasing the first herd of cattle that walks the streets twice a day to preserve the history of cattle drives through Cowtown. 

At St. Michael, Carolyn was well-known as a longtime volunteer receptionist in the parish office who also helped organize church visits to nursing home residents, hospital patients and others who are homebound. She took joy in administering Holy Communion to those unable to attend Mass. She also sang in the St. Michael choir, including during its trip to Rome several years ago.

Carolyn recently told her daughter that volunteering “means the most to me.” While she lived in Granbury, she volunteered for several years at the Senior Center. One of her fondest memories was decorating her mother’s wheelchair and pushing her in Granbury’s Fourth of July Parade. 

Her greatest pride and joy was her large and growing family, which she referred to as her heart.

She is survived by son Michael Drago, his wife Amy Drago and their children, Katie, Mia and James, along with granddaughter Stephanie Spencer and great-grandchildren Bash and Zeke); daughter Elisabeth Gonzalez, her husband Federico Gonzalez and their children Antonio, Nicole and Mateo (Akira Rockmore), along with great-grandson Zeno; daughter Cathryn Rodgers, her husband Robert Rodgers, and their children Reece (Cathryn), Sophie (Joel Serrano) and Ella, along with great-granddaughters Gianna and Maggie. Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Patricia Dominik.

In lieu of flowers, she requested donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Center or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Lastly, she would have wanted all those she knew and loved to receive her wishes for God's peace and comfort, along with the knowledge that forgiveness is open to all who seek it.