Carol Ann Frichette, age 89, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2025, at Springhouse Village in Springfield—just one week shy of her 90th birthday.

Carol was born on October 25, 1935, in Springfield, Missouri, to Elton and Katherine Corlett. She was raised in Springfield and graduated as Valedictorian from Willard High School in 1953.  On August 8, 1954, Carol was united in marriage to the love of her life, Bill Frichette, at Woodland Heights Presbyterian Church in Springfield—the same place they first met as members of the church youth group. Bill and Carol were blessed with two daughters, Diana and Elisa, who were the center of Carol’s life.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Elton and Katherine Corlett; her husband, Bill Frichette; and her brother, Leroy Corlett.

Carol is survived by Diana (Frichette) Owsley and husband Rick, and Elisa (Frichette) Coonrod and husband Dave; and her beloved grandchildren, Jordan Nimmo and Alexis Coonrod.  Additionally, Dale Nimmo (Jordan’s Father) remained close to Carol.  Her family continued to grow as Jordan married Elyse (Guffey) and Alexis reunited with Ian Kelly. Carol also gained extended family members when Diana married Rick. They include; Emily (Owsley) and Houston Aronis and their daughters, McKenna and Savanna, and Scott and Sarita Presley and their children, Xavier and Flora, who all brought Carol joy and she cherished deeply.

In addition, Carol is survived by her sister, Ruth McKinley and husband, Lewis (Texas), their daughters Kay and Loren Jensen (Texas) and Anne and Paul Stoddard (Tennessee), husbands and children.  Leroy Corlett’s children include; Wesley and Annette Corlett (Willard, Missouri), John and Connie Corlett (Ash Grove, Missouri), and Kathy [deceased] and Burney Lee (Texas), with many great nieces and nephews.

Carol devoted her life to her family and home. She was an excellent cook and seamstress, creating many of her daughters’ clothes and dance costumes. Nothing, however, brought her more fulfillment than her family.  Holidays were especially important for family gatherings. For Carol, family gatherings could never last long enough. The daughter’s birthdays always included specialty cakes in the shape of lions or cats, or whatever was important to the birthday girl.  At Easter, she made a cake in the shape of a lamb laying on green dyed coconut to represent grass. Throughout her career, she held several positions, including secretary for Si Simon at KWTO Radio in the late 1960s and early 1970s, bookkeeper for the YWCA, realtor, and pharmacy technician—a role she particularly enjoyed. She also explored entrepreneurial ventures, including Home Interiors sales and a flea market booth.

Outside of work, Carol had a passion for travel and service. She journeyed to England, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, and enjoyed cruises with her cousin, Katherine Weber. She was an active member of her church community, Westminster Presbyterian Church, where she served faithfully for 57 years. In 2022, she was honored as a leader among the Presbyterian Women. Upon receiving the award, she remarked, “I’m honored to call myself a Presbyterian woman for many years—and 57 of those right here at Westminster. We meet the needs of our community and show the love of Christ by nurturing our children and our neighbors each day, and when called to do so, at times of disaster.”

Carol was an enthusiastic supporter of the SMSU Lady Bears basketball team during the days of Melody Howard and Jackie Stiles. She was also known for her meticulous attention to detail—her financial advisor, Katie Thieman, described her as “spry” and “on it” when managing her resources. Carol balanced her checkbook to the penny and was always prepared to help family members in need, especially her grandchildren, whom she cared for often and attended their school and church events.

Friends and family remember Carol as “fiercely independent,” as Pastor Mickey Pulleyking described during a 2018 prayer before her heart surgery. In later years, she remained “stubborn and sassy,” as fondly noted by Cheyenne from Springhouse Village—traits that served her well as she faced life’s challenges with grace and determination. “Grit” and “resilience” were endearing qualities of her passionate character.  She really was “quite a woman,” Joanna Coonrod, Dave’s mother.  Their cousin, Frank Childers, fondly recalled how deeply in love the two were, describing their wedding as “mesmerizing” because of the love that radiated between them. Carol and Bill shared 40 wonderful years of marriage before Bill’s passing on September 4, 1994, following a battle with cancer. Bill was in the hospital on their 40th wedding anniversary and Diana sent flowers to Carol telling her, “Dad would have done this for you if he could.” Carol steadfastly supported him through his illness, even accompanying him to the National Institutes of Health in Maryland for treatment trials.

Carol will be remembered as a resilient and devoted woman. She was described by others as loving, loyal, witty, often compassionate to those who needed help.  Her legacy of faith, perseverance, family devotion, and love will continue to live on through those she touched.

The family would like to express immense gratitude to Dr. Ovais Zubair, all the staff at Springhouse Memory Care and to the Good Shepherd Hospice caregivers for the love and support they supplied.  During the final days, Amada Senior Care gave extra comfort for her, especially the “A-team”.

A visitation for Carol will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Greenlawn Funeral Home South, 441 West Battlefield, Springfield, Missouri. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM, with interment at Maple Park Cemetery, 300 West Grand, Springfield, Missouri. For ease of access, guests are encouraged to approach Greenlawn by traveling west on Battlefield road allowing for a right turn into the parking lot.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Carol’s honor to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1551 E. Portland St., Springfield, MO 65804 (www.westminstersgf.org), or to Gathering Friends for the Homeless, Inc. through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (https://www.cfozarks.org/nonprofit-partner/gathering-friends-for-the-homeless-inc) or by mailing donations to Gathering Friends, Kaleidoscope, 1430 East Sunshine, Springfield, MO 65804.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith.

And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God…” Eph 2:8

Arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home South.