Carol Fay Bogardus Obituary

Carol F. Bogardus (1928 - 2025) BOGARDUS, Carol Fay (Swinson), 96, went home to Jesus on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Community Hospice of Jacksonville, Florida, just a few miles from her Mandarin home. Carol passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, and with her faith in God as comfort. Born in Dallas, Texas, she moved to Jacksonville as a girl, and it was always 'home' for her. It was also where she met the love of her life, Ruthven E. 'Pat' Bogardus, who predeceased her in 1999 after 42 years of marriage. Carol graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1947 and attended reunions of the 'Jackson Jills' until just a few years ago.

Carol (and Pat) grew up in the shadow of the Depression which colored their values. Kind to all, Carol was adept at befriending those who had been overlooked by society and becoming their lifelong supporter. Carol's grace and humanity were evident throughout her life. She volunteered extensively and was a participant in church fundraisers.

In addition to jobs with Standard Oil and Knight-Orr of Jacksonville in her youth, Carol worked for a number of years during her marriage, including a stint in the advertising department of the local Marlboro (Massachusetts) Enterprise newspaper. While there, she penned a weekly column, the 'Southboro Scrapbook,' taking note of happenings in her home in Central Massachusetts.

Her love and talent for writing extended to dreams of producing 'The Great American Novel,' though unfinished. Writing was a great source of pleasure for her. Her letters to friends and family, crafted with her beautiful penmanship, provide written memories that will always be cherished.

Carol's other lifelong passion was music. Blessed with a lovely soprano singing voice, she opted to maintain it as an avocation. She performed for many friends' weddings and events with hymns and other classics. She brought her musical gift to her church families, as a member of the Pilgrim Church (Southboro) choir, and at Deermeadows, where she sang with the senior choir, the 'Choice Voices,' taking the ministry of music to assisted-living places throughout Jacksonville. Until her last day, she enjoyed listening to both Christian and secular music, especially her favorite old hymns, which she would sing while doing housework.

One of the defining periods for Carol and her family were the 4 years they spent on Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands. Pat's job took Carol and their children on quite an adventure; it was an experience treasured for the rest of her life.

After Kwajalein, she and the family called Southboro, Massachusetts home for more than 20 years. Carol overcame her distaste for cold weather and embraced her time in New England, especially awed by the beauty of the fall foliage.

Carol and Pat returned to Jacksonville in 1993. Continuing a lifelong love of travel, they made frequent trips to family and friends across the globe. Following Pat's passing, Carol remained active at Deermeadows Baptist, the church home of her late sister-in-law and close confidante, Eloise Ellis and her husband Bill. She was a member there for nearly 25 years.

Writing, music, and all else took a backseat to Carol's love of family. Each family member had a unique and special relationship with her, and despite her innate sweetness, she would fight like a tiger for any of them, if necessary.

Carol was the daughter of Violet Mae Swinson (nee Clark) and was raised by her mother and loving step-father Oscar Swinson, along with her older siblings, Edwyna (Whitacre) and Ronald 'Bill' Swinson.

Carol is survived by her loving children, Debra P. Flot and her husband Robert of Wells, Maine; Melanie Hradsky and her partner Paul Norris of Fonthill, Ontario; and Anthony Bogardus and his wife Leisa of Millbury, Massachusetts. Carol greatly loved her grandchildren, Beckie Flot, Sonya (Ed) Kirchlechner, Nikki Hradsky (partner Mike Hatch) and the late Jonathan Flot (d. 2017). Carol was blessed with 3 great-grandchildren, Peyton, Eddy, and Arya Kirchlechner, who brought great joy to Carol's last years. She was a loved step-grandparent to Mark Hradsky, Wendy Krebs, Lydia Huss, and step-great grandmother to Brielle and Vivian Huss. She was predeceased by her infant son, Robert Alan Sterling.

Carol dearly loved spending time with her many friends and extended family. Her wonderful neighbors were a great source of friendship and support.

No summation of Carol's journey would be complete without mentioning her love of cats, which was prodigious. And of chocolate! Hers was a wonderful, well-lived life, filled with love given and received.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 7:00PM on Monday, April 28, 2025, in the parlor of Moloney-Hewell Funeral Home, 4140 University Blvd. S., Jacksonville, FL 32216.

Funeral services will take place at 11:00AM on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at Deermeadows Baptist Church, 9780 Baymeadows Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32256. For those unable to attend, but who wish to participate, the service will be live-streamed, and can be viewed at https://deermeadows.org. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, 4535 N. Main St., Jacksonville, FL 32206.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks on Carol's behalf for donations to Deermeadows Baptist Church or the Jacksonville Humane Society.