Caroline Farrell

Caroline R. (Bach) Farrell, 86, of Ottawa, passed away on Monday, December 15 at Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. Visitation will be held at the Ottawa Funeral Home on Friday, December 19 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM with the rosary being said at 3:30 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, December 20 at 10:30 AM at St Columba Church in Ottawa with Father Cory Krengiel of St Columba officiating the service. Burial will be in St Columba Cemetery. Carol was born on March 18, 1928 in Spring Valley to Joseph and Dominica (Taliani) Bach. She was one of eleven children. She married Robert (Monk) Farrell on August 22, 1953 at St Anthony's Church in Spring Valley. Carol lived in Ottawa for the next 61 years where her and Bob raised their family of four children who still survive her. Prior to marriage Carol worked at St Margaret's hospital at the age of 13 earning 25 cents an hour which she gave to her family to help with taking care of her brothers and sisters. Carol graduated from Hall High School in 1946 and then worked at the Westclox factory in Peru where her father worked. After marriage Carol stayed at home to raise their family of two daughters and two sons. After her children were grown and having children of their own Carol began work at the McKinley School Cafeteria at lunch time to take care of her grandchildren who attended the school. Carol's favorite past times were watching her TV stories (Soap Operas); doing board puzzles; solving crossword puzzles; reading; going garage sale shopping; making tortellini (belly buttons) with anyone who wanted to learn; collecting dolls (oh the dolls!); going for walks around town; sitting in her swing and watching people go by; and most of all having family over to enjoy time together over a meal and card games. Her favorite card game was GOLF. She had an uncanny way of playing the game where she could be your best friend and ruthless at the same time. Whichever the case it was always a pleasure of playing a game with her. Carol possessed a marvelous loving and giving heart. She gave to anyone in need and never expected anything back. She never wanted anyone to worry about her or to pamper her. She didn't want to be a burden on anyone. Even in her last few days with us here on earth she kept on saying "Don't worry about me I'll be fine". The last weekend that she shared with family was spent playing cards in her room at the Hospice Home where even though she was asleep she was aware of the laughter and family togetherness she loved so much. In her passing Carol was given the gift of the peace that surpasses all understanding and her struggles that she endured with multiple myeloma over the last 13 years were lifted from her and she entered into Heaven where she will be healed for evermore. Carol is survived by two daughters, Lynn (Ron) Pillion of Louisville, KY and Donna (Randy) Daly of Chillicothe, IL; two sons, Christopher (Kim) Farrell and Michael (Diane) Farrell of Ottawa; ten grandchildren, Christina (Santiago) Medina, Molly Pillion, Brianne Daly, Cole Daly, Carissa Daly; Kristin (Miguel) Heredia, Kaitlyn (Cameron) Eich, Eric Farrell, David Farrell and Kathryn (Dan) Duggan; nine great grandchildren, Natalie, Gabrielle, Matthew & Sofia Medina, Reese Purcell & Millyana Heredia, Cayden Eich and Hannah & Addison Duggan; seven sisters, Lena Glynn, Eleanor Wozniak, Jean Just, Marie (Bob) Harrison, Betty Stockdale, Julia Chorzempa and Nancy (Don) Johnson and two brothers, Paul (Debbie) Bach and David (Mary) Bach. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert in 2007 and one brother Raymond Bach. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren, David Farrell, Kathryn Duggan, Christina Medina, Molly Pillion, Cole Daly, Eric Farrell, Kaitlyn Eich, and Kristin Heredia. Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children's Research and to the masses at St. Columba and to Richard L. Owens Hospice Home.