Carol R. Ware

Carol R. Ware, age 77, of Northville, passed away on October 29, 2021. She was born on April 5, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan; daughter of Leon and Christina (neé Reed) Ratcliffe. She was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart Donald John “DJ” Ware on June 24, 1967; celebrating over 54 years devoted to their love.

Carol graduated from Grosse Pointe High School in 1962. She then attended Michigan State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 1966. While at MSU she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and served as the social chair. After graduating, Carol worked as a 3 ^rd grade teacher for Van Dyke Public Schools. In 1976 her family moved to La Jolla, California and she and DJ began an educational consulting firm, The Ware Group. Carol was an integral part of the company for 41 years until retirement in 2016.

Carol was an avid volunteer. Throughout her children’s lives she spent countless hours supporting activities at their schools. She was an active volunteer with Junior League of San Diego and Las Patronas in La Jolla, both are non-profit organizations providing community services to those in need. Her attention to detail and accounting and organizational skills made her a colossal asset wherever she volunteered.

Family was everything to Carol. She was a proud and loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother. She was a dependable caregiver and helped care for her grandchildren from birth until they were school aged. Carol was a sports enthusiast and loved watching high school, collegiate and professional football, basketball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, and sailing. She also was her grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader while watching them play sports at any level. Carol enjoyed throwing a legendary annual 4 ^th of July party for family and friends; watching the fireworks over the ocean made the event memorable.

Carol spent countless days at the Marine Room beach in La Jolla, at Mission Bay Yacht Club and she loved spending time at Honokeana Cove in Maui. She was a funny, honest, loyal, feisty, steadfast, and strong - an incredible woman. Her infectious fits of laughter will be missed.

She is survived by her husband DJ; her children, Christina (Peter) Dougherty, Paul Ware, and Matthew Ware; and her grandchildren Aidan, Malone, and Rory Dougherty. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Janet Jackson, and her son Timothy Ware.

Carol was a lifelong lover of animals. One of the many great things she passed along to her children and grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local animal shelter in her name.

A private family memorial will be held at a later date.