Carolyn "Dolly" Rolnik

In loving memory of our kind mother. May her bright spirit carry on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Obituary

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Carolyn ("Peterson") Rolnik of Palatine, Illinois.

Carolyn passed peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, January 8th, in the company and comfort of her children. She was born on March 14, 1937, and lived a long, full life. Warm and gracious, she was fondly known as "Dolly" by her family and childhood friends.

Carolyn grew up in Des Plaines, Illinois, and graduated from Maine Township High School, class of '55. She went to college at the University of Illinois and met her husband, Albert Rolnik, while working as a research librarian at an engineering firm, then known as Universal Oil Products. 

In 1964, they married and began a life of travel, living across the world while raising four children. They treasured the kindness and hospitality they experienced in Japan and the beauty of Belgium, Holland, and Wales. They sledded sand dunes in Saudi Arabia and crossed mountains to reach the beaches in Venezuela. Carolyn held the family together, adapting to new foreign places, and making each one into a home. 

The family returned to the United States in 1981 and settled down in Palatine, Illinois. Carolyn took great pride in her home and was happy to be part of a community. She joined the Presbyterian Church and its choir, and enjoyed fellowship in her Bible study group. She liked meeting up with old friends and planning school reunions and neighborhood events. She remained ever the world traveler and could pack any size bag and navigate airports like a pro. She enjoyed history, museums, architecture and photography. There was always something more to see and remember.

She liked to celebrate holidays, and Christmas was her favorite. She made it magical with perfectly wrapped packages, festive decorations and hand-made crafts. She knitted warm ski sweaters, sewed felt ornaments with glittery sequins, and made advent wreaths adorned with flowers and frost. She lit candles in every window and delighted in the season, carrying on traditions passed down through the generations.

Carolyn was a naturally gifted artist and a wonderful baker. She played piano and loved music, theater and dance, embracing all of the performing, literary and visual arts. She did cheerleading and water ballet in her youth and continued to swim laps throughout her life. She learned to play golf and she taught her kids to ski. She encouraged all of their endeavors and imparted a strong sense of self, hard work and a belief that anything is possible. She loved her children and grandchildren with all of her heart.

Carolyn always carried herself with confidence and a warm, friendly nature. She could easily converse, connect and make people feel welcome. She liked to talk about any subject and lit up the room with her bright smile and good-natured cheer. She was loving, giving and thoughtful, and she touched the lives of others with genuine acts of kindness and friendship.

Carolyn leaves behind a lasting feeling of encouragement and hope. She also leaves us with inspiration in her watercolor paintings of peaceful landscapes that perfectly captured quiet moments now frozen in time.

Carolyn modeled strength of character and how to help others and appreciate what you have. She gave so much more, and every life she touched is the better for it.

Carolyn is survived by her last-living sister, Rhea Little; her husband, Al Rolnik; her children, Robert, Connie, Nancy, and Marci; her eight grandchildren and large extended Aldridge family. She was predeceased in death by her father, P. Gilbert Peterson, her mother, Cammie Lois Peterson, and her sisters, Cynthia Ferrer and Gwen Stacell. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Charitable Donations

We are making donations to The Cure for Alzheimer's Fund in Carolyn's memory. The fund is run by a federally tax-exempt non-profit organization that supports research with the highest probability of preventing, slowing or reversing Alzheimer’s disease. Please join us if you feel so inclined.

Your gift is meaningful to us and to all families affected by this debilitating condition.

Together, let us continue our mom's example of kindness and generosity. You can also support this cause by spreading awareness and sharing your time and talents in volunteer service.

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