Carol L.H. Mensing

Carol Mensing (Honey) was born Carol Louise Hawley on December 20, 1912 in Greenville, IL. She was the 5th of seven children. She loved to tell stories about her childhood, especially her escapades at school and working in her father's jewelry store. She met her husband while working in her father's restaurant after the jewelry store closed. He called her Carolee when they were "courting". Married in July 1933, they moved to Baltimore and she began life as a preacher's wife. Baby Priscilla joined them in April 1934. In 1940 the Mensings followed a call to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alexandria, living first in Old Town and later moving up to West View Terrace. Honey was active with the Walther League and took great pride in telling about the activities she organized and the couples she introduced. The young adult group thrived with the World War II population boom. In the 1950's Honey learned to drive while building their first "2nd home", on the Northern Neck of Virginia. They spent their spare time travelling and acquiring property….from Nova Scotia to Florida, even owning a piece of what would become Kennedy Space Center. By the early 1960's they had decided that the Eastern Shore of Maryland was the best choice for their future retirement. They started buillding "the Lake House" soon after the family expanded with grandchildren: Willner, Carolee and Jean. Honey could tell you exactly how many nails she drove into the floor of her house, and it never creaked! Fishing, crabbing and gardening were the main activities, but wine making and beer brewing were entertaining, too. The gardening continued until just a few years ago, with an annual competition with Willner and his wife to see who would have the first ripe tomato. Honey loved to share her house and the water, especially with children. She especially loved her great-grandchildren: Carol Danielle, Tim, Matthew, Emily, Nick and Erika. Honey loved to cook for her family and although she loved to read cookbooks, she made up recipes all the time. She grew and canned fruits and vegetables and baked many pies, but rarely cookies. In addition to cooking, she taught herself to sew, and learned to weave. She stretched her tight budget in her early marriage by making most of her own clothes and fashionable hats. After learning to weave, she wove fabric and then made suits and coats for her family. Throughout her life she was an avid traveller, most recently accompanied by her niece. Millie. Her one big regret may have been that she never made it to Alaska. She was an avid reader, and was known to stay up all night to finish a book even well into her 90's. Because of her avid reading, could discuss a wide variety of topics. She always wanted to learn, but could not find someone who could adequately explain Calculus to her. In the last few years she frequently said she didn't know why God let her live so long, but she always followed that by saying that since she was still breathing she might as well enjoy it. AND SHE DID!

Tributes

Carol L.H. Mensing

December 20, 1912 - June 27, 2012