Caralee Howlett

Caralee Marie (Quaiatto) Howlett peacefully passed away on January 9, 2021 in hospice care after a valiant battle with COVID Pneumonia.

Caralee was born January 27, 1929 in Rich Hill, Missouri to Julius McKinley Quaiatto (Jack Miller) and Bessie (Compton) Quaiatto.

She always loved music and she excelled in piano and accompanied choirs and bands and played for church all during her life.  She attended and graduated from Rich Hill High School in 1947.  She attended Southwest Missouri State University from 1947 to 1949.

In 1950, she moved to Kansas City where she worked as a Secretary at the American Can Company.  It was during this time she attended Linwood Presbyterian Church, where she met and married Donald “Don” Howlett on October 2, 1953.  In 1954-1955, She and Don resided in Tripoli, Libya at the Wheelis Air Force Base where Don was stationed.  After a year abroad they returned to live and work in Kansas City after Don was honorably discharged from the Air Force.  On March 21, 1960, they welcomed a son, David Brian Howlett into the family. And on February 23, 1962 they welcomed a daughter, Jennifer “Ginger” Paige Howlett into the family.  Caralee was the ultimate stay at home mother, lovingly bringing up her 2 children and being involved in everything she could possibly do to give them an excellent life as well as volunteering in numerous charities and church.

She only started working full time again when her children were in college. She was the Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of the International Division of the Marley Cooling Tower Company when she retired in 1997.  In retirement, she and Don enjoyed traveling to Europe with close friends from church and traveling to Colorado to visit David and their grandchildren.  They also made 3 trips to the Middle East where Ginger and her family were living. She was a cancer survivor and in gratitude volunteered for Cancer Action for many years, driving cancer patients to and from their doctor appointments.

Caralee was completely devoted to her family, church, and friends. She loved the Lord and it was evident in all the love and care she poured out on others all throughout her life.

Caralee was pre-deceased by her mother, Bessie Quaiatto and Father, Julius McKinley Quaiatto.  She is survived by her husband, Don Howlett (Gilbert, AZ); her son, David Howlett (Longmont, CO) with grandchildren Allison, Abby, Bereket and Amelia Howlett; Daughter, Jennifer “Ginger” Clucas (husband Mike Clucas) grandchildren, Hannah (Clucas) Harris (husband Nathaniel Harris), great granddaughter, Elena Joy Harris and Grandson, Jacob Clucas (all living in Phoenix, AZ).

If you would like to remember Caralee, please consider making a donation in her name to Hospice of the Valley (hov.org) or to Compassion International (compassion.com).

A Graveside Memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, July 3, 2021 at the Green Lawn Cemetery, Rich Hill, Missouri.