Carolyn Marty, 81, passed away surrounded by family on May 31, 2026, in Parker, Texas.
Carolyn (Cristelli) Marty was born September 16, 1944, in Florence, Colorado, to Charles and Rose Cristelli. A 1962 graduate of St. Scholastica Academy, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Seattle University in 1966 and returned to Colorado to work in the pathology department at Children's Hospital. Over the years Carolyn pursued a number of careers, including interior design, property management, and real estate.
She married Robert Hanley III on November 4, 1967, at Holy Cross Abbey in Canon City, Colorado, where they had met in high school. The couple settled in Littleton, Colorado, and had three children: Lisa, Traci, and Bob. Widowed at age 32, Carolyn raised her children as a single mother until 1986, when she married Tom Marty. They blended their families on April 5, 1986, and relocated to Texas in 1987, making Houston, Dallas, and Lindale their homes. Tom passed away in 2017.
In 2021 Carolyn moved to St. Joseph Village in Coppell, where she cherished daily Mass and remained an active member of the community. She participated in water aerobics, seniorsize, social activities and hospitality, forming many close friendships she treasured.
A devout and lifelong Catholic, Carolyn grew up at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Florence and served actively in every parish she joined. Alongside Tom, one of her proudest contributions was helping to open and operate the Holy Family Catholic Parish thrift store and soup kitchen in Lindale. Their work supported those in need, aided the East Texas Food Bank, and helped the parish community to grow.
Carolyn was known for her spirited, joyful presence. She made friends easily, welcomed neighbors into her home, and turned gatherings into family celebrations-filled with laughter, cookouts, and good company. Sundays were devoted to church and football; she LOVED the Denver Broncos! She and her sister held season tickets for years and attended all of the Bronco Super Bowls with their husbands.
She had a sweet tooth; pies were a particular favorite. Carolyn and her sister Dorothy baked together often, filling the kitchen with giggles and warmth, and she maintained a cherished tradition of baking holiday pies with her grandson. An avid gardener, Carolyn took pride in planning landscapes and watching the blossoms grow at every home.
A proud grandmother, she delighted in sharing her grandchildren's accomplishments, trading inside jokes, and using gentle self-deprecation to show them love and guide them toward good decisions. Despite losing two husbands-one to a heart attack and one in a cycling accident, Carolyn demonstrated faith, resilience, and a commitment to finding and sharing joy even in sorrow.
Carolyn is survived by her children, Sylvia (Pete) Hinkle, Traci (Chris) McCoy, and Robert (Sarah) Hanley IV; grandchildren, Melissa Corcoran, Emily Corcoran, Matthew Stremler, Jared Stremler, Robert Kowynia, Sean Kowynia, Robert Joseph Hanley V, Sadie Hanley, Thomas Bowen, John McCoy, Andrew McCoy, Matthew McCoy, Robert Hinkle, Tyler Hinkle, and Maggie Hinkle; and by nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Rose Cristelli; brother, Robert Cristelli; sister, Dorothy Payne; daughter, Lisa Hanley Kowynia; son, Steven Marty; and husbands, Robert Hanley III and Thomas Marty.
A Funeral Mass for Carolyn Marty will be celebrated Thursday, June 18 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Joseph Village Chapel, 1201 E. Sandy Lake Road, Coppell, TX 75019.
A Rosary will be held Wednesday, June 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Joseph Village Chapel.
Interment at Littleton Cemetery in Littleton, Colorado, will take place at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made in Carolyn's name to Montseratt Jesuit Retreat House -https://montserrat-retreat.squarespace.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=61e725b56506c57bdd30f43c.