CAROLYN CLAYTON BROESCHE
September 23, 1937 - June 3, 2022
Carolyn Clayton Broesche, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother, passed away peacefully on Friday, the 3rd of June 2022, with family by her side. She was born on the 23rd of September 1937, in Houston, to Lester Clayton and Carolyn Graves Clayton.
Carolyn grew up in Houston with her parents and her brother Danny. She attended Lamar High School where she met the love of her life, Henry Broesche, in Miss Red’s algebra class. Carolyn made lifelong friends in high school who she played bridge with for decades. Carolyn graduated and went onto University of Texas in Austin, while Henry stayed in Houston at Rice University. Carolyn pledged Alpha Delta Pi sorority and was active in campus life. Henry couldn’t stand being away from his sweetheart, so after a few months he transferred to UT to be with his beautiful “Carolina Moon.” As the story goes, Henry proposed to Carolyn and gave her two minutes to make up her mind, and she did: Carolyn joyfully married Henry on the 6th of September 1958.
Carolyn graduated from University of Texas with a Bachelor’s in Art and was an accomplished artist. She studied sculpture under Charles Umlauf. She was commissioned to design bronze sculptures for several public and private collections. She continued her art education at The Glassell School of Art in Houston, the Art League of Houston and the Watercolor Art Society-Houston. Later in life, Carolyn developed her love for painting in watercolor and oil. She enjoyed painting still life, landscape, and portrait, and traveled to Italy, France, and Mexico, among other countries, with her paints and sketchbook. Teaching her grandchildren how to paint brought her immense joy. Carolyn’s art is proudly displayed in her family’s homes to this day.
Carolyn was known for her generous spirit and faith in God. Carolyn and Henry attended Faith Lutheran Church in Bellaire, a church designed by Henry’s uncle Travis Broesche. Carolyn and her family were faithful congregants of Faith Lutheran until her passing. Carolyn devoted over 30 years of her life to Community
Bible Study as a student and children’s leader. She also drove for Meals On Wheels for many years. Giving was always a priority for Carolyn and Henry- they were committed supporters to Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Texas Children’s Hospital,
The Brookwood Community, Yellowstone Academy, and The Children’s Fund Inc. Carolyn leaves behind a legacy of generosity.
Carolyn and Henry loved their home away from home in Brenham, Texas. They enjoyed escaping out to the country on the weekends where Carolyn, who was lovingly called “Mother Nature” by her family, tended to her garden and animals. Carolyn and Henry were known for their extraordinary hospitality at the farm. Whether it was a fabulous anniversary bash or a casual fish fry, Carolyn made every person in attendance feel special and loved. She always prepared more than enough food - guests were often treated to her classics of fried chicken, purple cabbage, baked beans, cornbread and fried okra. Carolyn was all about her friends and family and found so much joy in entertaining a crowd.
Carolyn Broesche was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Danny Clayton; and her loving husband, Henry Broesche. Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Julianne Broesche Gaut and her husband J of Amarillo, Texas; son, Kirt Broesche and his wife Kelly of Houston; son, Karl Broesche, also of Houston; grandchildren, Roy Gaut and his wife
Laura of Houston, Jeffrey Gaut of Amarillo, Texas, Kathryn Broesche Smyth and her husband Trevor of Houston, and Kirt Broesche, Jr. of Chicago, Illinois; greatgranddaughters, Ella and Lucy Gaut of Houston; sisterin-law, Ann DeCordova of
Houston; nephew, Marshall Hooker, his wife Stephenie and their children Kelan and Devyn of Houston; as well as numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. Carolyn cherished her time with family and was so proud of her children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren.
Carolyn’s family wishes to express their unending gratitude and appreciation to caregivers Ganiat Thompson, Carol Latique, Omolade Shittabey, and Dorothy Alfred, the staff at the Farrington of Tanglewood, and Houston Hospice for their loving care of Carolyn.
A funeral service is to be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 27th of June, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.
Please visit Carolyn’s online memorial tribute where fond memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with her family.
Sweet Carolyn will always be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother, loyal friend and inspiring artist. Her life was guided by her love for God and family. You are one in a million, Carolyn.