Carol Summers

On the morning of Monday, June 29, 2026, Carol Irene Beckman Summers left this world, drawing a peaceful last breath surrounded by her loving children and just ahead of an impending humid heatwave she wisely chose to avoid. It was the end of a life well lived, where she built community and spread her signature quiet kindness with every life she touched. 

Carol was born in Minneapolis on May 14, 1937 to Martin and Angela Beckman. She spent her formative years in Jordan, Minnesota, first on her parents’ farm before moving to town. She made her mark, serving a reign as Miss Jordan. She graduated high school in 1955 as valedictorian before heading to the College of St. Catherine in Saint Paul to earn a degree in Chemistry. 

While at college, she met Joseph Paul Summers. Despite his questionable wooing choice that involved ordering blue cheese with dinner, his wit and humor proved irresistible. The two married on June 10, 1961 and welcomed Joseph Paul Summers Jr. on April 1st, 1962. Her devotion to her family would grow with each addition: Andrew, Margaret, Patrick, and Matthew. 

Tragically, the family would lose Joe in 1986 when he was just 47, passing away in their home. Through the unimaginable loss, she carried her family through with laughter, stories, faith and community.

Carol’s love for children extended beyond her home to the neighborhood kids who would collect at the Summers house and into the classroom where she taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade social studies at Holy Spirit School. She cherished the friendships she formed with her fellow teachers. Despite the challenges that come with wrangling middle school kids, Carol understood the value of fairness to those hungry minds. One of her joys was encountering her former students later in life.

Her perseverance was called on again in 2012 when her beloved son Paul died. But the family again found comfort in all the stories collected and traded to carry his memory, too.

Some would say Carol had the patience of a saint, but the reality was more that she just had so much love to give. It felt boundless to those of us who were lucky enough to receive it. And the love only seemed to grow as her children brought more members to the family with spouses and then grandchildren for her to dote on.

How much more bragging can we do about her Minnesota State Fair Award winning chocolate cake? Her commitment to documenting family history so all of her kids and grandkids could know about where they came from or the way her voice would float to the church rafters when she sang? There were also the countless, quiet hours where she volunteered because she believed in social justice and showing up on people’s darkest days. And if it’s all too saccharine, just know that she also really did not enjoy cooking or the oppressive humidity of Minnesota in July.

A natural introvert, it’s remarkable how many lives Carol touched. Until her final days, when Parkinson’s robbed her of independence, she was still making new friends inside at Carondelet Village — sharing M & Ms and a secret stash of ice cream.

Perhaps the hardest part of losing her is knowing we got the best for far too short a time.

Carol Summers is preceded in death by her parents, brother Martin Beckman, sister Maureen Stocker, husband Judge Joseph Paul Summers and son Joseph Paul (Patti) Summers, Jr. She is survived by her children Andrew (Jill Droubie), Patrick (Alison), Margaret “Peggy”, and Matthew (Joy) and grandchildren Madeline (Brian Begin), Joseph Paul Summers III, Edward “Ned”, James, Helen, Nazara, Vincent, and Catherine Carol “CC”. Plus many, many adoring nieces, nephews, and extended family friends.

The family would like to thank the staff of Carondelet Village for their love and support through this journey.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 6 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at O'Halloran & Murphy (575 Snelling Ave. S.). A service will be held on Tuesday, July 7 at 11:00 a.m. Carondelet Village Chapel (525 Fairview Ave.) with reception to follow and burial at Resurrection Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Carol’s name to The Friends of the St. Paul Public Library, St. Catherine University or donor’s choice.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.