Carol Sue Aitken

Born March 21, 1945 in Detroit, Michigan
Departed March 2, 2024 in Melbourne, Florida

Carol Sue Aitken, 78, left her earthly home and went on to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 2, 2024. She received her complete healing after a battle with esophageal cancer.

She is survived by her husband James; daughters Kimberly (husband Kevin), Lisa and Laurie (husband Tracy); nine grandchildren; four great grandchildren; sister Suzanne Zimmer; sister-in-law Ruth Ann Barrow and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Carol lived in Michigan until 1981 when her family moved to Melbourne, Florida. While living in Michigan, she worked in the medical field both for Port Huron General Hospital and then in a small doctor’s office. After moving to Florida, because of her love for the medical field, she began volunteering at Holmes Regional as a “Candy Striper” as the volunteers used to be called, recognized by their candy striped aprons.

Carol and her predeceased husband, David Rickert, came to Florida with their family after purchasing Kempfer’s Grocery Store in downtown Melbourne. She loved to work with the public and creating simple but delicious meals for them. She also served many of the hunters in the area by processing their wild game after a good weekend of hunting.

After becoming a widow in 2003, Carol sold Kempfer’s and made an attempt to retire. She missed the interaction of her customers, and went back to the work force getting hired with Publix, once again putting her smiling, kind face behind the counter.

In 2011 Carol found love again and was married to her current husband James “Jim” Aitken after a true love story of a sailor turning his sail boat around and going back for his bride.

Carol loved the outdoors and spending her spare time doing anything outside. She loved spending time in the woods at her cottage in Northern Michigan, going to the beach, having picnics after going through the wetlands, and spending time with her family every chance she could get. Carol also enjoyed spending time volunteering in the kitchen at her church, First Baptist Melbourne, and prepping food to serve the many that come for fellowship on Wednesday evenings. Carol loved traveling, cruising and day trips with friends and other senior adults in the church. Carol had the gift of hospitality, often known by the lawn crews or workers in the area for offering them homemade cookies, cakes and water.

Carol was a beautiful soul, inside and out and to know her was to love her. Her final wishes were to make sure people knew about Jesus! She will be greatly missed, but we hold on to all the wonderful memories we have and have the assurance through salvation that we will be reunited again one day. Through our tears of sorrow we celebrate her homecoming.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on March 8, 2024 at 4 pm at First Baptist Church of Melbourne. Carol will be interred at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.