Emerald Isle- Carolyn Dean Coleman (McGirr), 86, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2025, with her daughter Jen Temple holding her hand and hymns playing softly in the background. Born in Laramie, Wyoming, Carolyn lived a life as colorful, bold, and joyful as the bright orange Mustang she once drove.

A firecracker from the start, feisty just like her mother Violet, Carolyn captivated everyone around her with her magnetic personality. She was an artist through and through: a gifted painter known for her beautiful portraits, a creative soul who designed and sewed her own clothing, and a visionary homemaker who once even wallpapered her refrigerator. Music filled her world. She played the drums at a time when it was truly taboo for a woman to do so, as well as the piano and the organ. She loved Neil Diamond and Simon & Garfunkel, and her life had a rhythm unmistakably her own.

Carolyn was also a devoted follower of Christ and a true prayer warrior. If she told you she would pray for you, you could count on it. Her faith was steady, compassionate, and deeply lived. Whenever Minde called her for help, Carolyn immediately prayed with her right there on the phone bringing comfort, strength, and peace through her words and her unwavering belief in God's love.

In 1957, Carolyn became the third runner-up in the Miss USA pageant - a testament not only to her beauty, but to her confidence, presence, and spark. She loved hosting parties, bringing people together, and infusing gatherings with warmth, laughter, and fun. People were simply drawn to her.

Carolyn was a devoted and fiercely loving mother who never hesitated to advocate for her children. She is survived by her daughters, Jen Temple and Minde Smyth, and preceded in death by her son, Mark Coleman. She leaves behind her grandchildren, Kenya Rodgers, Ausha Smyth, Cody Temple, and Andrew Temple, and her great-grandchildren, Zoey and Juno Rodgers, all of whom adored their GG.

Her great-grandchildren lit up in her presence. Zoey's first laughs were with her GG. Her granddaughter Ausha cherished conversations, sewing projects, and shared gossip, while Kenya was her loyal partner in crime. Kenya could do no wrong. Carolyn delighted in sewing dresses, making octopus hot dogs with mac and cheese, and baking cookies with her grandkids - simple joys that became treasured memories.

After being diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2017, Carolyn lived with her daughter Minde and son-in-law Kevin for seven years. Their home was filled with dance parties, and endless laughter. Kevin loved that she always laughed at his "dad" jokes. For the last two years of her life, she lived with her daughter Jen, who took her on joyful golf cart rides accompanied by Zippy the family dog, listening to her favorite throwback songs, honking, waving, and laughing at neighbors along the way. Even as her memory faded, her humor, charm, and sweet spirit never did. Everyone who crossed her path adored her.

Carolyn's life was defined by creativity, courage, style, humor, faith, and deep love for her family. She was a trendsetter, a storyteller, a musician, an artist, a prayer warrior, and a source of joy to so many. Her legacy lives on in the laughter she inspired, the beauty she created, the prayers she faithfully offered, and the countless hearts she touched.

Her family takes comfort in knowing she is now at peace, reunited with loved ones, and remembered with immense love.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Hope Center for Kids Omaha, 2200 N. 20th Street, Omaha, NE 68110 or at hopecenterforkids.com