Carolyn Jean Janicki, of Charleston, WV, left this world on May 3, 2025.

She was born to Leonard and Jeanette Romino on July 4, 1936, in Fairmont, WV, the middle child of four siblings.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her loving husband, Thomas; sisters and brothers: Lennie Romino, Micheal Romino, Jo Hamrick, and Pattie Vasicek; son-in-law, Bo Smith; and nephew, John Stevens.

Surviving are her three daughters: Jill Smith of Tampa, FL, Julie Janicki and husband Bobby Bettinger of Charleston, and Jennifer McIntosh and husband Jim McIntosh of Charleston; her beloved grandchildren: Phillip Groves, Matthew Smith, Greg Smith, Michael Smith, Holly Smith, Thomas McIntosh, and Anthony McIntosh. She also leaves many nieces and nephews to mourn her passing.

Carolyn was a devout Catholic and a long-time member of the Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral in Charleston. She graduated from Fairmont State College in May of 1958, with a B.A. in Education.

While in college, Carolyn was a Falcon cheerleader, and that is where she met her husband, who was a Fighting Falcon basketball star. They married on June 28, 1958, and she taught school while Thomas attended Medical School in Richmond, VA. In 1961, they moved to Charleston, WV, where they made their home and raised their family for the rest of their lives.

Carolyn was very proud of her Italian heritage and enjoyed her extended family, keeping in touch with them constantly, planning many family reunions, none of which she would miss. She loved dogs, football, crafts, coffee, tennis, bike riding, collecting pictures of her family, making scrapbooks, gardening, and feeding the birds. She was also known for telling funny stories.

Carolyn loved the company of her immediate family and grandchildren and hosting friends in her home. This love included traveling with her husband to visit family and friends and seeing new places.

She was a member of the medical auxiliary, a member and past president of the Sons of Italy, active in the women’s guilds at Sacred Heart Church, competed in tennis leagues and teams, and was a senior Olympic champion. Carolyn was also a proud volunteer at St. Francis Hospital.

In 2023, Carolyn moved to Edgewood Summit with her dog, “Tudor.” There she kept busy making new friends while keeping up with her old ones. In May of 2024, she received the award of “Best Derby Hat” at the Edgewood Summit Derby Party. On the evening of May 2, 2025, Carolyn prepared a new hat for the next day’s Derby Party. But instead of winning another “Best Derby Hat” award, she went to sleep and went to receive her “Eternal Reward.”

Carolyn Jean Janicki, at the age of 88, has left many to cherish her memory.

A memorial service celebrating her earthly life and heavenly resurrection will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025, at Snodgrass Funeral Home with Father Donald X. Higgs officiating. Inurnment will be in the Donel C. Kinnard Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Family and friends may visit one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Carolyn’s memory to either Meals on Wheels (https://kvss.org/donate/), the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association (https://www.adoptcharleston.com/support#donate-today), or Heifer International (https://www.heifer.org/).

Memories of Carolyn may be shared by visiting http://snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, is handling the arrangements.