Carolyn Ann (Oswalt) Sechman, age 70, of Kalamazoo, passed away March 12, 2016 at Borgess Hospital following an illness from complications of heart disease and diabetes. She was born October 17, 1945 in Schoolcraft, to Howard and Edna Mae (Lee) Oswalt, who both preceded her in death. Carolyn graduated from Decatur High School in 1963 where she was honored as the recipient of the Betty Crocker Award. She moved to California shortly after graduation and there she married Balter Sechman in 1966, who also preceded her in death, and the couple gave birth to a daughter, Connie Marie Sechman in 1966. They moved back to Michigan in 1966 to settle in Paw Paw where she was employed as a nurse at Lakeview Hospital while finishing her degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Carolyn pursued her love for working with the mentally handicapped by holding a position at the former Oshtemo Care Center, and after many years there, she gained employment through Kalamazoo Regional Psychiatric Hospital (KRPH) in Kalamazoo. While there, and struggling to raise a young daughter on her own, she moved to Portage in 1978 and opted to go back to Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac to receive her license as a Registered Nurse. She was the only individual in her family to hold a college degree. She remained at KRPH until 1994, at which time she moved to Richford, Vermont, where she continued to work with the mentally handicapped through the State of Vermont, but eventually moving into a part-time position in an assisted living center, and retiring there after she came disabled from complications of cancer that worsened her diabetes. She returned to Kalamazoo in 2012 with her partner of 22 years, Merritt (Bob) Singleton, Jr., whom she married on November 7, 2015. The two enjoyed spending time together fishing from a pontoon boat, and traipsing through yard sales looking for antiques and other special finds. She is survived by her husband, her daughter, of Portage, and five grandchildren, Rachel, Justin, Brandon and Amanda Sechman all of Portage along with DeAnna Sechman of Belton, MO. She is also survived by her sister, Sharon Oswalt of Kalamazoo, three stepsons, Michael of Ohio, Matthew of Kalamazoo and Robert Singleton of Richford Vermont, along with one great grandchild and six step grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant sister and three older brothers, Donald, Harold, and Leonard Oswalt. Cremation has taken place. Adams Funeral Home, Paw Paw is in charge of arrangements. Her cremains will be placed to rest in Schoolcraft Cemetery. Memorial donations, in her name, may be made to the charity of choice.