6 Months  / Connie Vial (cousin & best friend )
 My dearest Carmen,
It's been 6 long months since you left us and what a terrible 6 months it has been.  You truly left an awful void in all of us.  I want you to know, dear cousin of mine, that not a day goes by that I don't think about you and what you meant to me.  I recall so many things that we did and memories that we shared.  Like when we were young and going to St. Johns's School and we were at mass and Sister Joan of Ark had to send someone down from the choir and tell us to be quiet (which we never were).  What a hoot that was.  Or when we lived in Milwaukee and took the bus to downtown and went and had "Butterbun Hamburgers" by ourselves.  And then there was the incident when we went to Gwinn and got that pizza and ate it in the woods and the cop came and we had thrown the pizza box outside and we freaked thinking we would be in big trouble,scrambling to get it back in the car.  Or how about all the talks we had for hours  on end, talking about anything and everything.  There wasn't a thing that we didn't share with each other.  We were not only cousins but best friends all of our lives.  You were always such  a big part of my life and even though towards the end, we didn't get to talk very often or see each other, we always knew how special our relationship was to each other.  I am so thankful that I did get to talk to you 2 days before you died and the last words we spoke to each other was I love you.  I miss you dear friend and I always will..... Close

God Bless  / Mark Lovat Lovat
I never met Carmen, but I consider myself fortunate to have met her family.  When I see the way they honor her life and memory, it becomes obvious what an incredible person she is.  My prayers are with all of you.    Close

Not Fair  / Dave Guizzetti (Son)

Sometimes I go through my busy day and for a split second, I forget that you're gone.  For that instant, I am happy.  It doesn't take long before it comes back to me and hits me like a pile of bricks.  The smallest little things in my life trigger simple memories of you that devastate me.  I recall little insignificant details about how you did things, or the sweet way that you were in everyday life and I'm so sad that I can never experience those times again.  I was thinking, the other day as I was washing clothes, about how you used to separate the laundry by color in the basement and put each type in a different box.  It came to mind as I separated the darks, whites, and mediums just like you used to do.  Silly, I know, but it made me so sad.  I can see you down there in my mind's eye, pulling the clothes out of the hampers and throwing them into their respective boxes for wash. 

It's funny how so many of my everyday life activities remind me of you.  I've learned so much from you.  Folding towels the "right way," Friday Spaghetti, the "reading club," and so much more.  You are wound so tightly into my everyday life that sometimes it's hard to bear not having you here with us anymore.  I can't hardly handle going into your office with the baby as I keep expecting your smiling face to come through the door.  I really miss our little talks out in your office lobby.  Sometimes when I was really feeling crappy, I would just come in for a quick visit as I knew I would feel so much better after having talked to you even if it was just for a quick minute.

It's so hard not to be angry with God for letting you be taken from us.  It's strange how unfair it seems that my sweet mom had to die so young.  I struggle every day to not be hateful of the guy in that truck, mom.  Every fiber of my being wants to hate him and blame him for what he did.  I am trying to be forgiving and I am trying to be strong.  I know that's what you would want me to do.  I miss you a lot.

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Really, really trying . . .  / Michelle DeLisle
Dear Carmen:  I'm trying so very hard.  What is the lesson supposed to be learned?  Trying so hard to take something, anything positive from this disaster.  Trying so hard to appreciate what I'm supposed to be appreciating.  Shame on me for wallowing in what I cannot control.  I would do anything to trade places with you.  Then your kids could have you back.  Will you tell God he is needed here?

You'd be proud.  The dream has come true for us.  Thank you for believing in me, us, once again. Close

Struggling / Laura (daughter)
mom, every single day is such a struggle to keep going.  it has not gotten any easier for me.  if anything, it's that much worse.   i've tried so hard to go on with my life, and to live it as happily as I can, but I just can't find the joy in much.   it hurts that I can't pick up the phone to call you for no reason.   i can't come to you for comfort when i'm hurting.  I was never able to make you proud of me for something i did or accomplished.  you'll never get to hold faith in your arms again.   you'll never know what she grows up to be.  
i sat by the water the other day.  it reminded me of the times we took faith to the lake to take her picture.  and then i pictured you, working so hard at my bridal shower.   alone.   working so bloody hard to make everything so perfect for me.      i think of coming to see you at work.   i can picture you smiling as you met me at the door.      i can never see that again.   my life used to hold such insignificant troubles, and now, life itself seems not worth the effort...   i miss you so much   i'd give anything to be with you Close

The Broken Chain  / Laura (daughter)

THE BROKEN CHAIN

We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name,

In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone,

For part of us went with you, the day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide,

And though we cannot see you, you are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same,

But as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.

--Author Unknown

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Thinking of You / Dave Guizzetti (son)
Summer is coming, mom.  It's almost here.  The weather is turning warmer and the leaves are coming out on the trees now.  I've been thinking about you a lot lately.  I was at your house talking with Harry today and I showed him how to burn a copy of your 'favorite music' CD so he could listen to it in the car.

I saw my friend Lori at Bob's IGA today when I was in Munising.  Her mom died not too long ago too.  I know they were really close.  We talked about how hard it is to lose someone that we were so close to.  It feels like my life is totally different now that you're gone.  It feels like I don't know who I am, like I have to totally invent a new life.  Sure some things are the same, but so much is different.  I hate it.  I wish you were here.  I'm so lonely without you.  I miss you.  I'm sad that I ca't call you a million times a week at your office just to see what's up.  No more smiling voice on the other end of the phone when I'd say, 'hey ma.'

It's difficult to go through life when you're not here.  I still dream of you often.  I'm happy in the dreams when I see you or hear you, but so sad when I wake up to know that you're not here anymore.  I took Anthony to your office the other day so the girls could see him.  I couldn't help but think of how excited you would've been to see him if you were working.  You were there, though.  I had my little piece of you around my neck, and I could feel you in the room.

It's strange, because I never believed in 'spirits.'  You know, like hanging around in rooms and following me around.  But it's so strange how my little boy will sometimes just stare past us and look so intently at what seems to be nothing.  He smiles and makes noises, and won't take his eyes off of whatever he can see.  Even though I know you're in Heaven, I can't help but to think that maybe through his innocence and purity, he can somehow connect with your spirit and see you and I feel a quiet comfort in that thought.  I feel so cheated that you never got to know him and so ripped off that he never got to meet you.  I was so excited and you always bugged me about when I would cough up some grandchildren for you.  I'm glad you got to know that he was coming at least.

I miss you mom, so much.  Sometimes, I wish that I would go to sleep, and never wake up so I could be with you and God in Heaven forever, and nothing or no one could ever take you away from me again.  I'm sure it will be a long, long time before we are together again in Heaven, but I think about how much I can't wait for that day to come.  Close

Your Beautiful Grandson / David Guizzetti (son)
Mom.  Anthony has been here for a couple of weeks now.  He is so beautiful.  I know that you would've loved him so much.  I will do my best to teach him all the great things that you taught me.  I know you would've been proud to know your efforts were not wasted and I have learned so much from you.  I only wish my little boy could know the amazing kind of love you gave to us, and I will do my best to make him feel you through me. Close

So Sad / Dave Guizzetti (Son)
Mom.  I can't stand it here without you. 

I miss you so much.  Even though we have such a great family...I feel empty and lost without you.  It's so hard to go and celebrate birthday dinners and be at family gatherings with you missing from them.  Those times are happy for me because of everyone else in our family, but under the surface, I'm so sad you're not there.  I sometimes expect to turn my head and see you.  I sometimes expect to hear you laugh.  I sometimes think you'll be there when I walk through the door in Munising. 

It's so hard for me to wonder why God would take you from us now.  Why you?  Why us?  You've always taught me that He has a plan for our lives.  I can't understand why this was part of His plan. 

I can't stop thinking of all the great and wonderful things that you did for me as I grew up.  All of the sacrifices you made for me.  The run-of-the-mill things.  I remember everything.  My first day of school, going to Grandma's on Friday nights, how your fingers would subconsciously type the words people were saying, the "reading club," and the way you could always make me feel good no matter what bad thing was happening.  There's so many awesome moments of my life that you were a part of and maybe even made happen. 

I'm very lonely for you and I miss you so much mom.  We're a mess without you.  I cannot possibly begin to describe my sadness and feeling of loss. Close

To my auntie / Hope Carlson (niece)
Dear Auntie,
     Seems like just yesterday that you came into my life as my uncle Lee's new bride!! I was so excited. You were the auntie that let me have "sleepovers" at your apartment when you were newly married. I still remember the apartment on Third street with the little sunroom that was my special little room. I always felt so special whenever I was with you. You were the aunt who, when I was in the hospital with toxemia while pregnant with Bethany, on bedrest, and ended up having her by emergency C-Section 7 weeks early, and you went down to our apartment in Negaunee and painted her nursery and got it all set up for me. I will never forget that!! Then you, along with 3 other aunties, gave me a beautiful baby shower. You were always there, with your beautiful smile, ready to help out with just about anything. Your quiet gentle strength will always be in my heart along with your smile. I can't wait til I see you again some day. I can just imagine that you are up in heaven "helping" Jesus decorate those mansions!! I love you and miss you auntie, but I will see you again. Love, "Hopie" Close

FOR DAVE / APRIL (NONE)
 I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I KNOW DAVE THROUGH A MUTUAL FRIEND(STACY) AND ALTHOUGH HE WONT KNOW WHO I AM, I JUST WANT TO SAY IM SORRY. I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO LOSE A PARENT, AND ITS NOT SOMETHING THAT WILL BE GOTTEN OVER. BUT YOU NEED TO KEEP THOSE HAPPY MEMORIES WITH YOU, AND ALWAYS KNOW THAT YOUR MOM IS WITH YOU AND ALWAYS WILL BE. I KNOW HOW BAD IT HURTS ON THE INSIDE, AND HOW HARD IT IS TO BE OK ON THE OUSIDE. WE ALL DO IT, BUT YOU NEED TO GRIEVE FOR YOURSELF AND FOR YOUR MOM. I KNOW THAT SHE IS PROUD OF YOU AND THAT SHE MISSES YOU JUST AS MUCH. TALK TO HER OFTEN AND KEEP HER WITH YOU. AND YOU WILL FIND, THAT SHES NOT REALLY GONE, BUT EVEN CLOSER TO YOU THAN YOU THOUGHT. AGAIN, IM SORRY. Close

Lonely For You / Dave (Son)
It's just been a little over a month since we've lost you mom.  I'm having a hard time.  I'm trying to be upbeat and positive.  People ask me every day how I'm doing.  I feel like a phony saying, "good" or "fine."  I'm not really.  I'm so lonely for you. 

I dream of you often.  Just like in life, you're always smiling and laughing when we talk.  It's so sad to wake up to know that you're gone, but I'm so happy to have you visit me in my dreams.  I often pray that God will give me a dream about you before I go to sleep at night. 

I feel lost without you.  Close

Sweet, Sweet Carmen  / Michelle DeLisle
Not a day goes by that I don't think about you.  I promise to take good care of David and ensure his life-long happiness.  I will do whatever I can to try and ease the pain suffered by your family.  We all miss and love you so much! Close

What a blessing to call you family. / Tonilee Cullison (niece)
I have so many countless memories of Auntie Carmen.  Probably one of my most treasured was when Auntie Carmen asked my sister, Hope, and I to be Laura's godmothers.  Our back yards were separated by an alley way, so we had a path between our yards.  I would make that treck up the path and get Laura for our daily walks.  As I'd role that yellow and orange stroller down the sidewalk, she'd say to me, "Don't forget, be careful, that girl means more to me than her weight in gold."  It got to the point where I would say it before Auntie Carmen got a chance to.  I also remember us teasing her about being forgetful when she was pregnant for Laura.  We'd say, "It's a good thing that baby is attached."  I loved the way she would laugh at her own self.  What a great quality, to be able to laugh at your weaknesses and grow from them.  She taught me so much about silent strength!  Auntie Carmen, I am so thankful I had you as a part of my family while growing up.  You are a part of so many memories.  Thank you for confiding in me and sharing with me the secrets to your strength.  I will never forget the lessons you have taught me.  Always my love, my gratitude and respect...Tonilee          Close

God is our source of comfort and strength in the time of deep loss. / Pastor Larry &. Bernice Hale (Friend; former Pastor)
We offier our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the entire family of Carmen.  We have many good memories of time spent together.  Carmen was a delightful, talented and beautiful women.  We have been and will continue to pray for you.  Psalm 46:1  says: "God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble." Close

She'll be truely missed. / Wes Bebo (Friend of Laura (Daughter))
Carmen was an exceptional person, I knew her only for a short time but I  was very impressed by her.  She was very loving, friendly and caring.  I will miss her too. Close

In memory of Carmen / Melissa DeMarse (Friend)
I hadn't seen Carmen in a couple of years but she was so special to me.  She had such a sweet sweet spirit that just drew people in. She blessed and encouraged me through several conversations we had and I knew then that I'd never forget her wisdom.  I loved being around her. She always made me laugh.  David, I know how much she meant to you and I know you are hurting, but please know that you and Laura and the rest of the family are in our prayers. You can go on in Christ.  He will give you the strength and you will see her again.  She would want you to be happy until that day.  I loved her and will always remember her. Close