Abraham Lincoln once said, \”All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.\” Carol Skrlac touched the lives of her family in much the same way. Her family was the center of her world and she was the best wife, mother and grandmother that one could hope for, always putting others before herself.In December of 1948, Lewis \”Mike\” and Eleanor Fredericks were anxiously awaiting the birth of their child. She arrived, like a gift, on Christmas Day and they named her Carol. She was later joined by her brothers, Allen and Tim, in their family home in Monaca.As a child, Carol was quiet but she flourished when surrounded by her parents, siblings and her beloved dog, Snowball, who was the best Christmas/birthday present ever! She loved that dog with all of her heart. Carol attended Monaca schools and in 1966, she graduated from Monaca High School.Carol left high school with more than just a diploma — this is where she met Jack Skrlac, the man with whom she would spend the rest of her life. The high school sweethearts dated for several years and were happily married on November 8, 1969.The Skrlac household grew with the births of daughter Amy and son, Bradley. Sadly, Carol and Jack lost an infant son in 1970. From the birth of her first child, it was obvious that Carol was put on this earth to be a mother. Just as when she was a child, Carol blossomed when she was with her family. As a mother, she was so nurturing and caring and her love was unconditional.Sunday dinners were not to be missed at the Skrlac house and cooking her favorite meals was just another way that Carol showed her family how much they were loved. Whether it was spaghetti and meatballs, macaroni and cheese, or ham barbeque, you could rest assured that it would be delicious and lovingly prepared.Holidays were some of Carol’s favorite times and she went out of her way to make them special. Amy and Brad could count on their mom’s festive cookies and pizzelles each year around Christmas. The house would be filled with the amazing smell of fresh baked goodies. At Easter time, the whole family would take part in one of Carol’s favorite holiday traditions, coloring Easter eggs.In addition to her role of mother, Carol also worked outside of the home. Over her 40 year career in office administration, she worked for a number of different companies, including Teledyne Vasco, Colonial Steel, NF&M, Rome Metals and Monument, finally retiring 2006 from ATI.Vacations at Kramer’s Cottages at Geneva on the Lake, Ohio made for many special memories for Carol and her family. Many summer days of swimming, relaxing in the sun and trips to Eddie’s Grill for a frozen lemonade and a foot-long hotdog were all part of the experience. Later, when her family grew to include grandchildren, the family would stay at the Hilton Anderson at Myrtle Beach. Carol and the grandkids would spend endless hours at the beach, swimming, looking for shells and occasionally, even sneaking in a nap with Madox.Carol’s grandchildren could count on her to be in attendance at every school open house. She enjoyed watching Isabela play baseball and softball and Zoe run in cross country events, participate in karate tournaments and especially perform in music concerts. She was their biggest fan! When it came to parades, no one knows who enjoyed them more — the grandchildren, or Carol. In more quiet times, Carol could be heard singing her favorite song, Nina, to her grandchildren. They were her entire life and she loved them with all of her heart.Carol’s kind and caring ways made an impact on everyone she met. She was quiet by nature, preferring to stay out of the limelight, but her tenderness and love for her family spoke volumes. She will be dearly missed and will live on in their hearts forever.A saint on this earth, now an angel in heaven, Carol L. (Fredericks) Skrlac entered peacefully into eternal rest on Monday, April 18th, surrounded by her family.Carol was born on December 25, 1948 in New Brighton. She was the daughter of the late Lewis (Mike) Fredericks and Eleanor Fredericks. Carol was a devoted member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Monaca, and passionate about all youth sports where her grandchildren participated.Carol was preceded in death by an infant son in 1970; her father, Lewis, in 1986; and a brother Allen Wayne Fredericks in 2015. Carol is survived by her husband of 47 years, John R (Jack) Skrlac; her daughter, Amy Beth (Skrlac) Rowland and her husband, Michael; her son, Bradley John Skrlac and his wife, Nadine; her mother, Eleanor; her brother, Timothy Fredericks and his wife, Marysue; nieces, nephews, cousins, many friends, and her best friend, Dierdre.She leaves to cherish her memories three beautiful grandchildren, Zoe Elizabeth Rowland, Isabela Rose Skrlac, and Madox Lewis Skrlac, whom she loved unconditionally with her whole heart.A special thank you to all of the caregivers from AGH, Kindred, Rochester Manor, Heritage Valley Beaver CCU, and Good Samaritan Hospice for the exceptional care given to Carol over the last 4 months.Friends will be received Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m. in the Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, where parting prayers will be offered Friday at 12:30 p.m. followed by a mass of Christian burial at 1 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Monaca. Rev. Fr. Michael R. Ruffalo will officiate.Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made, if desired, to St. Vincent DePaul Society, c/o St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 1501 Virginia Avenue, Monaca, PA 15061, or The School at McGuire Memorial, 2121 Mercer Road, New Brighton, PA 15066.To share online condolences, get directions and other information, please visit simpsonfuneralhome.com.