Jan. 17, 1944 –
Aug. 26, 2011

Carol Joy Dinger was born at Glendale Adventist Hospital on Jan. 17, 1944. Her parents were Diedrich and Frances Amelsberg. She attended Holy Family Elementary School in Glendale and in 1962 graduated from Holy Family High School. Growing up, her favorite place to go was the Moonlight Rollaway roller skating rink.

On April 27, 1963 she married Virgil Dinger at Holy Family Church. They had three children: Julia, Rick and Joanna.

Carol enjoyed traveling. She enjoyed it so much that she decided to make a career of it in her 40s.

While raising the children, Carol was an active volunteer. Some of her favorites were being a CCD teacher, a Brownie den mom and helping out with fundraisers at Holy Redeemer Church and school.

She was first diagnosed with cancer in 1990. She refused to give up. In 1991, prior to major brain surgery, she promised her friends that she would survive and when she recovered, they would all go on a cruise. The surgery was a success and a large group of her friends accompanied her on the American North Eastern Fall Foliage Cruise. She credits the great doctors at USC Norris Hospital for saving her life.

Because of her will to live, Carol was able to dance at all three of her kids’ weddings and was able to hold six of her grandchildren.

Carol passed away in her sleep on Aug. 26. She is survived by her husband Virgil, three children Julia, Rick and Joanna, six grandchildren, one grandson due in October and her sister Kathleen Armstrong.

A memorial service will be held at Holy Redeemer Church in Montrose on Friday, Sept. 2 at 1 p.m. A reception will follow in Healy Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carol’s honor to the Community Foundation of the Verdugos, 330 Arden Ave., Suite 130, Glendale, CA 91203.