Obituary: Corinne Caire

PHOENIX, ARIZ./ MADISON - Corinne Louise Caire, age 64, passed away in Phoenix, Ariz., on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2005. She was born on Feb. 9, 1941, in Madison, to Edgar P. Caire and Mary B. (Thomas) Caire. Corinne attended Longfellow Elementary School and Central High School. Corinne was a voracious reader and loved to crochet. She was a spirited woman of many talents, loved by her family and friends, who remember her strong faith in God, kindness, generosity and unwavering optimism in the face of life's obstacles. Our family had lost touch with Corinne for more than five years, and had been reunited with her by mail in December 2004. The family learned the second week in February, that she had been diagnosed with liver cancer and had two months to live. Her sister, Gretchen, and niece, Amelia, traveled to Phoenix to help her return to Madison. Corinne chose to stay in her adopted home of Phoenix after learning of her illness. To those who knew her, this was an example of Corinne's courage and fighting spirit. On Friday, March 25, 2005, Corinne's sisters spoke with her by telephone from Madison and Maple Grove, Minn. They sang, "What A Friend We Have In Jesus," and "A Little Ducky Duddle," a song that Corinne had learned while attending nursery school at the Neighborhood House Cottage when it was located on Mound Street. Cynthia Margaron, the Director of Social Services at the Desert Terrace Care Center, held Corinne and the telephone while the sisters spoke. Cynthia said that a look of peace and a smile spread across Corinne's face as her sisters told her how much they loved her, and sang to her. That was the last time the four sisters spoke together. She is survived by her son, Michael S. "Kaleem;" his wife, Lisa Peyton-Caire; and four grandchildren, Jabari, Sekani, Amira and Alana Caire. Ms. Caire is also survived by her mother, Mary B. Caire; and sisters, Dolores (Maurice Sr.) Gavin of Maple Grove, Minn., Marie "Patsy" Thomas and Gretchen Caire of Madison. Her other survivors are nephews and nieces, Maurice II (Tamara) Gavin of Rogers, Minn., Aaron (Paula) Gavin of Brooklyn Park, Minn., Howard (Mary Belinda) Muhammad of Madison, Amelia Gavin of Seattle, Wash., Colin (Kristine) of Broadview, Ill., Carmon Caire of Madison, and Kenneth (Diane) Thomas of Madison; 14 grand-nephews and grand-nieces; and her dear friends, Marie Kunz, Beulah Alms and Michael Giancola of Phoenix, Ariz., who so lovingly cared for her before, and during her illness. Her father, Edgar P. Caire, preceded Corinne in death. The family thanks Corinne's church, First Assembly Church, on Cave Creek Road, in Phoenix, Ariz., for aiding Corinne in her Christian walk. The family also wants to thank the staff at the Desert Terrace Care Center, Hospice of the Valley, all in Phoenix, and for the tender care they gave Corinne. Their patience and kindness to the family as they called everyday for information on Corinne's condition will never be forgotten. There will be a private service for the family. Life will be perfect for heaven's place We'll see God, the Father and Son, face-to-face. For God will be there, Everywhere that you are; And Jesus will shine like a bright morning star. Heaven is wonderful, Don't you agree? It's simply the best place We ever could be! - Kathleen Long Bostrom

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 8, 2005