Carolyn Mae Krejci

Carolyn Hockle Krejci

They say, “It’s not the years in your life that count; it’s how you live the years.” In Carolyn’s case, she lived a full life on both counts!

Born into a German-dominated household in Hamtramck, Michigan, and the oldest of five children, Carolyn took on family responsibilities at a very young age. By the time she was 11, she was taking care of her younger siblings and many of the household chores. Her father had determined that she would find a match and continue in this vein. But Carolyn and her teachers had other ideas! She had demonstrated outstanding academic ability and was encouraged to go on to college. One of her teachers visited her home, persuaded her father to allow her to continue her education, and even provided some tuition money for her first semester.

To finance her education Carolyn worked all the while pursuing her undergraduate degree. She earned a degree in English with a teaching certification from Eastern Michigan University. The most important person Carolyn met at EMU was Joe Krejci, a member of the school’s Varsity gymnastics team and a political science major. As their affection deepened Carolyn convinced Joe to begin their lives together out West! So, after they both graduated, they married in ’66 and immediately left for teaching jobs in southern California. By April of 1969, daughter Caroline was born. And little more than a year later, son Joseph V joined the family and they moved from Rialto to Redlands.

Carolyn was forever a person who never sat still-she worked hard and incessantly! In those early years of marriage and motherhood, she had two children in diapers but continued her teaching and earned her MEd. She also continued to produce regular home-baked confections and delicious meals, while enjoying a lifelong passion for sewing. Several family photos feature Caroline and Joseph in outfits created by their mom.

She also became known among family and friends as a phenomenal hostess. She was a trusted source of recipes and cooking or baking wisdom. In one memorable Christmas gathering of the Krejci clan in Redlands, Carolyn had designed and quilted individualized stockings to hang and fill for each family member. Her creations are treasured by the family. And who can forget her organization of back-to-back weddings in one weekend when Caroline was married at home in Redlands on Saturday and Joseph V was married in the San Bernardino Mountains on Sunday!

For 35 years, Carolyn taught English in the Rialto Unified School District. She had particular talent for not only bringing literature to life, but for engaging the low-achieving students in danger of dropping out of school. After retiring from teaching in the Rialto Unified School District, Carolyn could focus on her grandchildren and her rose and vegetable gardens, tending to all with the love and care that she epitomized.